I have been waiting for this book. YA Fantasy is my favorite genre and to finally have a book like this with a lead queer boy means so much. I wish my teenage self had had this book. Not only is this a book with boys kissing, there's also a vast magical world based on falconry. So much thought went into the culture London created. The subtle avian references really flesh out the world.

The first chapter of this book is so intense. It paints such a wonderful picture of the world and the characters within it. The family dynamics are such a large part of this book and the first chapter paves such an excellent path for them to be thoroughly delved into. The first chapter also sets in play the chapters from adults' perspectives sprinkled throughout the book. Most of the book is from either Kylee or Brysen's persepctive.

Going into this book, I didn't even read the synopsis. I just knew it was written by Alex London, there was falconry, and there were gay characters. I expected a gay male lead, but Brysen shares the role with his sister, Kylee. Kylee was absolutely my favorite character. Their relationship as siblings goes through so much in this book.

Love is at the center of this book. Not only romantic love, but familial and platonic. Each character is motivated by love in some way. The motivations all make sense and each character has a detailed past.

The worldbuilding is phenomenal in this book. The bird imagery is everywhere. It's ever present. The culture is so well thought out. The geography of the area is described in such detail. I just got back from a tans Atlantic vacation and the imagery definitely reminded me of the beautiful Scandinavian landscapes.

Although this book is definitely only the first in a series, it is a complete story. I was very satisfied with the ending.

I give Black Wings Beating a 5/5. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book. It's a YA Fantasy with a queer boy protagonist!!! I can only hope that one day I have a book out in the world that can be recommended alongside this one.

I have been looking forward to the release of this book. It has been hyped by some of my favorite authors, most vocally Adam Silvera.

The world building in this book was amazing. The universe in which London sets his main characters is unique and intriguing. It almost reads as if it was an immersive RPG, with birds as the focal point. Even the physical descriptions could easily be imagined in the style of a video game character.

The writing is incredibly smart. The dialog flows naturally and the birdcentric analogies cement the reverie and worship of the birds within the setting.

Another thing that I loved about this book was the relationship between the two main characters, twins as it were. Anyone who has ever had a sibling knows that the relationship is complex and multi-dimensional. There is jealousy, bitterness, and frustration often between the two of them. But under the surface there is also love, loyalty, and a fierce need to protect (especially on Kylee's end).

I was rather disappointed with the character of the love interest, Dymian, and the choices Brysen makes because of him. He is hellbent on glory no matter how it endangers him or the people around him. It makes Brysen's character hard to relate to.

Since this is a series I hope that as we go along, Brysen's character arc will develop into someone that I can route for, because I desperately wanted to be able to do so.

A special thank you to Netgalley and Macmillian for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

probably seems like I despised this book, but I actually ended up really liking it in the end. Sure, Brysen got on my nerves, but I also understood why, and also believe that his character won't bother other readers as much as it did with me.

(I just find ungrateful narrators even more irritating than angsty love triangles ones.)

Kylee was a totally awesome character, and I loved reading about how she kept denying her power, which is something we don't really see in fantasy. I enjoyed reading how this was different from the norm.

Plus, the politics and political machinations were SO ON POINT. I thought London did an amazing job building this book up, and I so loved how the world is being built and how much is in store for us.

Because of how Brysen changed throughout the book, I'm actually super excited to read book 2. There are so many good things in store for the characters (or, well, exciting bad things), and I am totally going to pick that up! (Also, Brysen has a new love interest who's not a douchebag.)

It sucks, but me not connecting with Brysen was honestly why I didn't love this as much as I hoped to. This was still a great book, and one I'd definitely recommend, but for me personally, parts of it didn't click.

(Also, I guess I don't like birds as much as I thought I did. They're honestly kinda scary.)

I would recommend this if you're looking for a diverse fantasy read feat. LGBTQ+ main characters and falcons and all sorts of avian goodness!

In a fantasy world where falconry is an elite sport and birds are holy, the ability to speak the Hollow Tongue and command birds is an invaluable skill. Unfortunately for Brysen, he doesn't have this gift. And unfortunately for his twin sister Kylee, she does. But when they are pressured into going on a treacherous hunt for the Ghost Eagle, a legendary bird of prey many before have died trying to catch, all their gifts and skills--and relationships--are put to the ultimate test.

I really enjoyed the premise of this book. I haven't seen a fantasy world built on the premise of falconry and birds before. It felt new and original which I appreciated. I also liked the complicated sibling relationship at the center of the book (I'm always a sucker for that, what can I say) and the historical and cultural world building throughout the book. That said, I found the story itself a little slow. I don't know if it was the switching perspectives or the storyline itself, but I didn't really get hooked and invested until about halfway through. I still enjoyed the story-- it just felt a little slow to me. Still, I appreciated the representation (the book features multiple lgbtq characters including the main characters) and the worldbuilding. I really wish it had grabbed me more from the beginning because there were so many great and fascinating aspects of the story. It is the first book in a series, so it's very possible things will pick up from here. There are definitely a lot of interesting storylines, characters, relationships, and cultural practices to build on.

Content Warning: Child Abuse, Abusive Father, "Crazy" Religious Mother, Animal Attack, War, Battles,

I liked the prologue with the father in the mountains. Then came Chapter One.

I cannot lie. I did not enjoy this at first.

The putupon sister, the abused brother were so been there done that in the beginning. I did not see the point. I was exasperated with the repetition. It's not new ground they're treading. It honestly felt condescending how much was hammered over and over.

Hence, the first half was boring and dragged. But I got an ARC and didn't want to DNF. I was so close to doing so anyways. Then shit finally started happening!!

The Owl Mothers. The Covey. The attacks, the switching of POV's, it started popping off the page and I couldn't wait to see what happened next.

I was impressed with some twists and the ending. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel. What a turn around.

I still say the first half can be shortened by half easily without repetition, better use of flashbacks, and maybe a prologue if you're really insistent. But YMMV.

If you can get through that long ramp up, I say it's worth it. Unless you're already into birds and the previews are your thing, borrow from your library or get it on sale.

I requested this on a whim, namely for the cover. I was also hooked by the LGBTQ representation.

I really wanted to be immersed in the world building, which partially happened, but eventually ended up feeling forced because the pacing was so slow. The characters sketches were interesting but I never found my groove with either Kylee or Brysen, which I suppose this is to be expected with the first book in a trilogy.

Not sure I liked it enough to continue with the series.

The people of Uztar have long looked to the sky with hope and wonder. Nothing in their world is more revered than the birds of prey and no one more honored than the falconers who call them to their fists. Brysen strives to be a great falconer--while his twin sister, Kylee, rejects her ancient gifts for the sport and wishes to be free of falconry. She's nearly made it out, too, but a war is rolling toward their home in the Six Villages, and no bird or falconer will be safe.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review through Netgalley. I was drawn to this book by its provocative cover. I loved the unique and intriguing impressionist-esque design. The title Black Wings Beating brought a dark and strange image to my mind that made me more interested in what the book was actually about. I was excited to see if the content of the book matched the interesting cover and title.

In the first chapter, I fell completely in love with the world Alex London created. The bird-centric culture and religions of Uztar was so completely different than any other fantasy book I’ve read. At first, it was difficult to understand how birds alone could permeate an entire history and influence everything in the story, but the language completely drew me in. London makes it clear that everything, from the conflicts of the book to the turn of phrases that characters regularly use, is uniquely part of this world, which is amazing to find in a book.

The story of Black Wings Beating introduces exciting conflict between characters and within characters. While I thought that I knew for sure where the story was going to go when I started the book, each turn that the book made took me in a completely different direction than I expected. Certain twists even made me physically gasp, which if a reaction that I rarely get while reading. I absolutely loved being surprised by the plot of this book.

My favorite character in the book was Kylee. She seemed to be one of the few characters who actually thought with her brain. Most people made decisions based on money or their emotions, all with the exception of Kylee. I enjoyed getting to know her better as the story progressed. However, by the end of the book, I really wondered how anyone had really changed during the course of the novel. A lot happens in the book, but by the end of it I couldn’t put my finger on what was different about the characters now compared to when we started.

Black Wings Beating is the first book in Alex London’s Young Adult Fantasy triology. The book leaves off on some serious cliff hangers, so I’m definitely excited to see where the next book goes! If you love world-building and exciting plot-twists, you’ll want to make sure you pick up a copy of Black Wings Beating, when it comes out on September 25th.

Thank you, Macmillan, for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"There was an invisible tether that bound them to each other. Each of them was the falcon, each the falconer."

Have you ever read a book reminiscent of Pokemon? Because I couldn't help but imagine the domesticated birds in this book as Pidgey, Spearow, and their evolved forms. Moreover, Brysen and Kylee were on a quest to find a ghost eagle, which was virtually a legendary Pokemon like Articuno. Basically, it was my first time to encounter such a bird-centric novel, so I had a fascinating time reading Black Wings Beating.

Besides its outstanding premise, this book had a very interesting setting wherein people were either Uztari or Altari. The former loved the sky and all its creatures, while the latter loved the earth and its resources. Given their opposite passions, these two clans were in perpetual conflict. Some Altari became Kartami, extremists who desired to eliminate everyone who loved the sky and trained birds. All these things contributed to the book's intricate world-building. Still, be warned that the first 50 pages could be info-dumpy. Hopefully, the finished copy will have a helpful glossary. Otherwise, you might be annoyed by all the unfamiliar terms.

As a fan of family dynamics in YA, I also enjoyed how this book emphasized the bond between siblings. Contrary to popular belief, not all twins get along so well. Jealousy and resentment caused Brysen and Kylee to have frequent disagreements. Fortunately, the twins managed to mend their relationship after confessing their dark secrets. Kylee's was so easy to guess, and it became one of the reasons for my rating. Although she did it to save a loved one, I couldn't believe that she had the guts to commit such a crime. What a tragedy!

Among all the characters, Brysen was the least likable. He tended to be envious, impulsive, and downright naive. I really disliked that he risked his life for someone so shallow and manipulative. In the end, his motivation for catching the ghost eagle was pathetic. I'm pretty sure that other readers will be triggered by the unhealthy romance in this book. Ugh, if only Brysen had been wiser in choosing a lover.

In the end, Black Wings Beating was predominantly entertaining, especially because it appealed to my fondness for Pokemon. It was my first time to read an Alex London novel, so my reading experience was a bit enlightening. However, don't expect to meet characters who will steal your heart.

In a world where dominion over birds of prey equals power, twins Brysen and Kylee have a love/hate relationship with falconry. Brysen longs to be good at the sport, but lacks the patience and ability. Kylee is a natural, and even has powers that allow her to speak with the birds, but she just wants to pay back their family’s debts and then leave their village forever. When Brysen compounds their debt and then agrees to hunt the ghost eagle – the very same eagle who killed their father – Kylee knows that she has to help, or lose her brother to the birds as well.

The world building in this book is phenomenal. London creates a rich world with opposing religions about to go to war, and creates an entirely new mythology built around falconry. Now, I know there are other fantasies based around falconry, but as I’ve not read them, this was all totally new and fascinating to me. Kylee and Brysen take turns narrating, and their perspectives were realistic and different enough that you had a great feel for them as characters quite early on in the book. They were so authentic as not to be entirely likable – Brysen in particular makes quite a few stupid and/or impulsive decisions and I found him to be a bit hard to root for. I really enjoyed Kylee, though, and I loved how the world was presented with equality in terms of sexuality and race. Several of our characters are people of color and/or LGBTQ+, and they don’t seem to be oppressed or seen any differently because of it, which was refreshing to read.

For this reader, the plot left something to be desired. The book starts off with a bang, but then quickly devolves into an adventure story in the woods as Kylee and Brysen search for the ghost eagle. The aforementioned “opposing religions about to go to war” parts show the most promise, but were unfortunately relegated to the background. That will likely change in the sequel, but it made this book a slow read for me. I actually put it down in the middle and read an entirely different book as it wasn’t really holding my interest. I felt like the book might have worked really well as a prequel novella, but as a full length novel, there was a lot of filler as Kylee and Brysen navigate the woods with only one important seeming development.

Black Wings Beating was an interesting dive into the world of falconry that sets up a sequel with a lot of promise. I’d recommend it to anyone who likes adventure stories with a touch of the fantastical. 3 stars – I liked it!

Thanks to Farrar, Straus and Giroux and Netgalley for the eARC, which I received in exchange for an unbiased review. Black Wings Beating will be available for purchase on 25 September, but you can put your copy on hold today!

Birds are amazing to me. I grew up with a cockatiel and parakeets; I always loved spending time talking to them and wondering what they were thinking. I was looking forward to this one after learning that it focused a lot on falconry. The birds are a major part of the story, to the point that sometimes I forgot I was reading a YA fantasy novel, and thought I was reading a natural history of hawks. That's not always bad, but it happened so often that I was distracted by it.

Black Wings Beating focuses on two main characters who are also twins, Kylee and Brysen. Kylee has a might-be-magical gift for communicating with birds, and Brysen doesn't but he aspires to become a master falconer. Brysen also has a terrible boyfriend. Seriously, this guy is obviously bad news from the word Go and Brysen is willing to do anything for this guy. Therein lies my first major issues with the plot of this book.

The twins go on a quest together to settle a debt for Brysen's boyfriend. Brysen doesn't have much choice in the matter, either he agrees to do it and risk his life, or his BF will be murdered. Not super fair, if I do say so myself! Brysen is reluctant to bring his sister with him, they bicker constantly. I want to see more sibling dynamics in YA, but this one was lacking to me. They fought against each other more than they fought for each other, and I found that distracting.

One other big issue I had was with the storytelling. The book is very heavy on exposition and it doesn't come through the narrative organically. There are several chapters that end with a hint of something that happened in the past. This gets overused and really bothered me. There is also some secret-keeping in this book. If Kylee and Brysen communicated instead of keeping secrets from each other, they wouldn't have struggled as much.

The falconry was interesting, and I do think some readers will really enjoy this one. I was hoping for some novelty in this novel and it did not deliver.

**Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this title!**

Kylee has no desire to use her gift of communicating with birds. She wants nothing to do with falconry, and dreams of the day when her late father's debts are paid off and she never has to deal with it again. Her twin brother Brysen, on the other hand, loves falconry, and wants nothing more than to be the absolute best falconer in the entire land. Falconers are, after all, the most respected and honored people in Uztar.

Thanks to a boy who Brysen loves (and Kylee most certainly does not), the twins must journey far into the mountains in search of the elusive Ghost Eagle, the most dangerous bird of all (and the one their father died trying to trap). Unfortunately for them, they're being hunted by people who crave even more than gold or glory: they want POWER.

My Notes: A perfectly pleasant fantasy novel, despite the fact that I couldn't get over the fact that the main characters had names that would be more at home in a local middle school than in a fantastical realm.

Ok, first things first. Alex London is a new to me author. I haven't read any of his previous works before.
And I am a total cover lover. This cover Drew me in, piqued my interest. And I love birds. (Ok I love almost all animals. But something about birds... I love reading about them.)
And this blurb had me wanting to know what happens...
Brysen and Kylee are twins living in the Six Villages. Brysen strives to be a great falconer. And his sister Kylee rejects the ancient gifts she has, hoping to be free from falconry.
Brysen journeys up the treacherous mountian, his sister following suit to help keep him safe, to try to trap the Ghost Eagle- the greatest and most hard to capture bird, while a war towards their village, no bird or falconer will be safe from.
Can these siblings master catching the great Ghost Eagle? Or will they die in the very same Talons as their father had? Both the twins and Eagle are hunted by those who only seek power amongst themselves, can either be saved?
I will admit it was a bit of a slow start for me, and in fact took me three tries to get into it. But I think it was only because I am a mood reader, and the first two tries I just wasn't in the mood for a fantasy novel. Once I got into it I really enjoyed it. It was a great read about siblings who would do anything for love, and for each other, even if it meant they died protecting those they loved. They made friends and enemies along the way and did something no one else could. They conquered against the odds stacked against themonly to be faced with even more challenges ahead. I can't wait to find out what else these twins have in store for them.
Over all it was a great read. I connected with Brynsen - and felt for him. And I loved how strong and caring his sister Kylee was. They rose up from the ashes of their lives like pheonixes, giving hope to the village that maybe they all can survive the threat of war.
4⭐ out of 5⭐.

I was sold on the premise of this book based on social media reviews, but found the actual book to be a bit confusing. The premise isn't made clear in the first third of the book; there's clearly magic in the world but it only seems to appear once, and with no explanation or true consequence. The plot moved a bit slowly, or at least in fits and starts. While I like being plunked into a world without too much exposition, I did feel like there wasn't quite enough worldbuilding--maybe a map included in the book would help? The main characters were still blurry around the edges to me, and I found it hard to be invested. Sadly, I did not feel compelled to finish the book.

3.5 stars
I really don’t have much interest in birds and falconry. The beginning of this book which explained both of these things was rather boring to me. I had heard such good things about this book though so I kept pushing through.
I really liked Kylee and Brysen’s journey to capture the ghost eagle. After the initial half of the book, finally getting into the quest part was fun for me. The Owl Mothers were a good nail biting twist.
The second part of the plot was fun, but I feel like there was not much character development and I didn’t get to know the characters very well. I like Kylee because she was so protective no matter what happened.
I think the ending led very well into the second book and made me want to know what happens next.

I am enjoying reading this story because of the use of falnonry in a fantasy setting is new to me. Looking forward to the climax.

Rich prose and a masterful world-building launch BLACK WINGS BEATING as an excellent candidate for fantasy readers!

I wanted to like this book so much, but it just wasn't for me. The beginning was really clunky and I almost gave up less than a quarter of the way in. It picked a bit about halfway through. I didn't feel like I could relate at all to either of the main characters, and all the twists were super predictable.

This is the first in a new fantasy series. It is setting the stage for future conflict (war) while focusing, in this book, primarily on a seemingly ridiculous quest, made on an impulse, to capture a ghost eagle. There has never been a successful attempt to capture such a bird in all of current human memory; all attempts have only resulted in death for the person or people who attempt the capture.

This book builds a new and imaginative world, and the author narrates the story wonderfully.

London, Alex. Black Wings Beating. Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, 2018.

Kylee and Bryson lost their father when he went hunting for the infamous Ghost Eagle, a bird which could earn its captor untold riches, but which most often kills instead of being caught. Now they are working to pay off their father's debts by selling birds to those who cannot capture and tame them on their own. They head off to fulfill their father's quest, but will they be able to do what he could not do?

This is a lyrically written, character-centric story focused on a society where birds are worth more than currency. Bryson attends bird fights (similar to dog fights or cock fights), while his sister sells birds in the market and helps keep their birds trained and fed. This a richly descriptive book filled with lots of world building and character description as we learn more about both Kylee and Bryson. I loved Alex London's Proxy, so I was excited to read this newest book. Unfortunately, the story didn't hook me in the way it has with other readers. It's a good book, and I'm sure that some of my patrons will love it, but it's not for me.

Recommended for: teens
Red Flags: violence
Overall Rating: 3/5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley for the purpose of review.

This is definitely an interesting premise, one that will easily intrigue teen readers. Additionally, the balance between the action and the storytelling is spot on as the author introduces his readers to this fascinating new world while simultaneously keeping them on the edge of their seats with battles, underhanded dealings, and more! Very excited to see what direction this series takes.