Thanks to NetGallery for providing a free copy of this book for review.

Overall, this is an enjoyable story. You’ve got magic, the bond of family, and then deeper more matinee themes of grief and belonging. One might argue that there is too much going on in this novel geared toward young adults, but then again, don’t they already know that the world is too much and will appreciate reality being portrayed in fiction.

There are multiple layers to this story. One you’ve got a story about a Black girl who is pulled away from her home, taught magic, and then must learn how to wield it to save her family.


SPOILERS BELOW!!
On another level you have a story about white people stealing from Black culture and claiming it as theirs, while looking down on Black people. Sound familiar??

This story is inspired by many different aspects of culture and pop culture. There are definite nods to superheroes, Wakanda, and Harry Potter, while also more seriously connecting to colonization, racist treatment of Black and Indigenous people, and the work that white women need to put into social justice.

The main character Rue/Jelani says,
“You can’t make somebody see something. They ain’t ready to.” Of you are ready to see, this book will be a wonderful read. If you aren’t ready, it will be a wonder read and will allow you to do some deep thinking about the themes laid out here.

It’s like a bedtime story you want to tell your kids. The oppressed will one day come out in top.

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I really wanted to enjoy WINGS OF EBONY. It was one of my most anticipated books for 2021, so I did have high hopes for this book. I had a difficult time connecting with the characters and the story fell flat for me. The world felt really under-developed, and I had more unanswered questions with this book than anything else. I had no clear idea of what Ghazan looked like. I felt like there were too many plot points added to this story that it made it feel like it was all over the place. I couldn't get a clear grasp of the story as there was always too much going on. Rue has so much potential and she's brave and strong and has the power to change the world, but even all that fell flat. I was,

I found myself constantly re-reading sentences and paragraphs, trying to keep my attention on the book, but nothing was exactly working. And I felt like I needed to push through because I could see how powerful this book could be.

It's the case where it was more me than the book. I don't feel I was in the right mindset to fully enjoy WINGS, so I will definitely give WINGS another try later this year. I know WINGS OF EBONY is going to be a book loved by many, which I'm so excited about. I truly wish I was one of them - the cover is gorgeous and the summary sounded absolutely amazing.

What I did enjoy about WINGS OF EBONY is how it presented current world issues and oppression, which is so important to address and relays an important message. Like I mentioned above, I will be giving WINGS OF EBONY another try. It might not be for a few months, or until December, but I definitely feel the book deserves another read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌗
TW: parental death, murder, racism, heavy language.

Okay, this book gripped me from start to finish. Wings of Ebony is Fantasy but with a heavy social commentary aspect throughout the story. I really loved the fantasy aspect of it and how much Rue absolutely loved and did anything to protect her sister, Tasha. The book not only deals with the African-American experience, but the family of community, understanding identity and belonging, trauma, and relationships with estranged parents. For a debut book, this is amazing.

Now, I will say that this book deals with a /lot/ of heavy topics and may not be for everyone and definitely has the potential to be triggering. Personally, there were a lot of moments that were very uncomfortable, tense, and/or heartbreaking for me to read and I had to take a break but wanted to continue because the pacing and plot was so gripping. I think the issues were handled well and the ending was cathartic for a lot of the heaviness. Because this is the first in a series, Elle left a lot of mysteries and plot left to be answered in the next instalment.

I was able to predict most of the plot points and there were a few very common tropes utilised throughout the story, but for the most part I thought they were executed well (with a couple exceptions I can’t go into because ✨spoilers✨). There is one trope I think is being set up for the next book that I’m /hoping/ doesn’t go that way, but we’ll have to wait and see.

As far as Rue, for the most part I thought she was a great protagonist and was extremely engaging. She is filled with a /lot/ of righteous anger about things she sees and continually fights to protect her family and community. There were a few moments where I wish she was able to slow down and listen a little better, but she’s young and been through a lot of trauma so I’m hoping that is an aspect of growth we can see in the future. A couple of the side characters in the book could have probably benefitted from a bit more development and there were a few specific plot threads for characters like Bri that felt a little rushed (specifically surrounding a /major/ paradigm shift that I feel would take a decent amount more time to deal with than was shown).

Overall though, this was an incredible debut novel and I’m so excited to see what comes next from J. Elle and this series.

~ received an ARC from Netgalley ~
4/5 stars

Holy heck. I remember seeing this on some list of books to look forward to in 2021, so I was super excited to receive an ARC from it. Written in the style of contemporary akin to to "THUG" or anything Jason Reynolds but mixed with fantasy and folklore...it blew my mind. It took a while for me to get into, as I wanted more and more fantasy, but that's really not the sole purpose of the book. It speaks about racism and colonization while adding a fantasy edge with magic. I'm looking forward to this series developing, as it mostly spent the book beginning to build a world and the main character.

Rue is SO similar to many of the YA protagonists we have, but she is so strong. The quote about being a diamond will resonate with many BIPOC readers, and the history of the character is poignant in today's society. Additionally, the topic of racism and colonization along with white privilege is masterfully interwoven within the story. Anxiously awaiting for this to become an AMAZING series.

Wings of Ebony is a stunning debut about a Black girl, demi-god and her fight to save her family and neighborhood from a sinister evil. Rue is an uncompromising character on a mission (my favorite) and is determined to see justice.. Rue has a unique voice, and J.Elle puts you in her shoes from the very beginning. J.Elle also does a magnificent job world building and increasing emotional stakes. I felt like I was in Houston as much as I was There’s also a steamy love triangle. Overall, this book isn’t just a contemporary fantasy, but a socially relevant story about what it means to be Black and to have to fight for what you want every step of the way. It should be read, celebrated, and taught. Rue’s story is unforgettable.

This book wasn't quite what I expected, in that the magical world main character Rue finds herself in is overtly dystopian and authoritarian from the beginning, Rue knows it almost immediately, and so we know it within the first 15% of the novel. This makes for an intriguing read, though dystopian novels aren't really my jam (far too depressing, far too like real life...). I did appreciate how this novel overtly dealt with racism, colonialism, and white fragility/collusion in harmful structures of power. The characters were well-developed, and the story was immediately immersive. Also, that cover is gorgeous.

I really enjoyed how this book tackled social issues in this fantasy world. The main character became annoying to me because of how tough she was but I knew it was all for a reason. I knew there would be some type of relationship sprinkled in there. Hard hitting.

Thank you netgalley.com for providing a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book had a slow start, but as it got going I was entranced and couldn't put it down. The book moved between a dystopian island of magic and technology and a neighborhood like a family in Houston. I loved following Rue's journey to discover herself, grow stronger, and accept who she was. Covering themes of racism, performative allyship, and more all combined with magic was an easy 5 star read for me! Pick up this book!

Whew! I wasn't ready! This book hit hard! To say Rue has had it hard would be a huge understatement. Still reeling from her mother's death and being whisked away to a foreign land against her will by her father, Rue has escaped back to her old stomping grounds in search of her little sister, Tasha. In Ghizon she's an outsider among gray skinned beings who are nothing like her community back home. East Row gets a bad rep but she loves her neighborhood and would do anything to protect it. Lately it's like a war zone with people dying left and right and when a dangerous gang targets her sis she knows what she needs to do.

The writing is easy to read and J Elle creates an interesting world without an overly complicated magic system. And Rue's strength didn't lie in her magical abilities but her determination to fight for her neighbors. She doesn't try to change herself to fit in to Ghizon. Nor does this book try to change itself to read as safe commentary against race for white people like some social justice YA books do. Rue uses aave and the words she uses aren't always explained. She's proud of her hood and wants to show the world there's more to it than the violent stereotypes. She lives by the mantra of making a way. This book gives commentary on appropriation, colonization, and systematic racism without being overly heavy handed.

Wings of Ebony is more magic realism than epic fantasy with much of the story taking place in Houston. But there's hints that Ghizon will be further explored in the sequel.

After that intense ending I have to know what's next!

I received an arc from Denene Millner Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Wings of Ebony has a lot of potential as a great read. And for many, it could be one, full stop. There is a great message at its heart, inspired by the ongoing systemic racism in our contemporary world. That aspect overall is impactful, making the comparison to Angie Thomas an incredibly apt one.

Rue herself is a unique protagonist, being a strong young Black woman who stands up for what she believes in. Regardless of any unevenness in the execution of the other story elements, I felt she was a great character to follow, and one I really rooted for, given the issues she was facing.

However, the decision to try to balance the real-world with a magical one was a bit poorly realized, with the backstory often info dumped casually and needlessly and the magic of Ghizon not really feeling well realized as a result.

It has received a lot of positive early buzz, and with good reason. I think this is one of those books worth reading and seeing if it works for you.

“I’m here for magic and vengeance. Then I’m taking my Black ass home.” — Wings of Ebony
Wings of Ebony by J. Elle is a powerful debut novel that holds the important weight of transcending different genres of literature in order deliver a beautiful story about family, love of culture, a sense of self, and how one young woman stands up to injustice that lurks around every corner.

I read a blurb of a different review for Wings of Ebony which used the phrase “Black Hunger Games” in order to quickly label this book. Wings of Ebony is so much more than an ode to a different dystopian YA series. J. Elle herself has described it as “Wonder Woman meets Wakanda.” Doesn’t that paint such a great picture? As a reader, I can tell that J. Elle poured her soul into this book. I connected with Rue in a way that I believe if anyone uses a clarifier of race to distinguish this book missed the entire point because absolutely everyone should read Wings of Ebony regardless of age, race, and gender. While Wings of Ebony is geared towards a YA fantasy audience, the overarching moral themes and the lessons to be gleaned from the pages are for everyone with zero descriptors or clarifiers.

Set within the modern world, Rue is all about her family. She’s a girl who learns that part of her heritage is deeply rooted within an ancient magic people who have been hidden away, but what happens when those people become a threat to your human sister? It isn’t just the lessons learned that are beautiful. The words and the story are as well. Rue is unapologetic about her background, and where she came from—an admirable trait. Rue struggles with her father who swoops in out of the blue in a tumultuous time of her life. She also struggles with the guilt associated with leaving her sister behind, and leaving her community in a time of great unrest. I quite enjoyed the back and forth timeline that showed how uncomfortable Rue was in Ghizon, but it also showed how her resolve strengthened over time to do the right thing for her home back in East Row, and how she learned to trust herself over time.

If you’re like me and enjoy fantasy stories with really vibrant and unique world-building, a strong female protagonist, and a plot that will undoubtedly have you glued to the page, then I suggest immediately reading Wings of Ebony. I absolutely cannot wait to read more in this incredible new series, and to see where Rue’s journey will take her to next. J. Elle keep on writing, readers young and old need more Rue in their lives!

What a wonderful book. Wings of Ebony explores systemic racism, not just in our world, but also in a world of magic that Rue did not know she belonged to until after her mother's death. In J. Elle's novel, main character Rue is a teenager ripped from the world she knew, to be semi-shunned by a society that doesn't accept her because she's half human. The magical society in which she now lives has two factions, and teens are "sorted" and then "bound" - have onyx stoned infused with the Chancellor's magic embedded into their wrists. At first, Rue is told she will not be sorted into either faction and they don't want to bind her, either, until her father and the Chancellor step in.

The biggest rule of her magical world is that magic should not be used in the human world, and humans cannot be touched. But Rue left a little sister behind, and with the help of her new friend Bri, Rue goes back to Houston, to East Row, to leave a gift for her sister. Things go sideways and now Rue has to figure out how she can help Rue when her own life is in danger.

This is an amazing debut and I want to put it in the hands of all my students of color.

"All this magic and power could do so much good back home, but they want to hole up here."

Rue never knew her dad - it was just her, Moms, and little sister Tasha growing up. But they weren't alone. The whole block is family. So when Moms was shot on the stoop a year ago, Rue did NOT choose to go with her dad, Aasim, to his home. She was brought to Ghizon against her will. It's a land of magic, cloaked from outsiders, around the area where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Seventy years ago, the Chancellor found onyx in the island's mountain and used it to bind magic, then used this gift of magic to unite the indigenous tribes. But knowledge of that magic - and the people - aren't permitted to leave Ghizon. If a Ghizoni person touches a normal human, their memories are transferred to that person, and then the secret's out.

Rue won't let that stop her from just taking a quick trip home to Houston to drop off a gift for Tasha on the one year anniversary of their mom's death - just drop it off, see her open it, go back to Ghizon (with the help of her best friend Bri's tech). T won't even see she was there. But that short visit ends with Rue using magic to save her sister's life, which alerts the Ghizoni authorities, who drag her back as a criminal. They want to take away Rue's magic, and worse, kill Tasha, now that Rue has touched her and imparted memories of Ghizon. She didn't want it in the first place, but without her magic, how will Rue protect her family?

Rue's problems, both in Houston and Ghizon, center largely on race. She's the only half-human in Ghizon, so many of the people who live there look down on her. I enjoyed the author's writing style/voice, though stuttering/hesitation in dialogue occurred maybe a little too often. Rue shows both through word and deed that she is loyal and driven by justice.

After finishing the book, I still don't know what the title refers to, which is a little puzzling. Maybe something to be revealed in the sequel? Although I enjoyed Wings of Ebony, this story wrapped well enough for me, and I don't think I'm invested enough to return for the sequel.

I don't read much urban fantasy, so I don't have a lot of solid readalikes here. I definitely got some Wakanda vibes more than once, so Black Panther fans may like this one. I think people who enjoyed Children of Blood and Bone may also enjoy it, and perhaps readers of Octavia Butler or N. K. Jemisin (I thought of one or two stories from her collection How Long 'Til Black Future Month?).

Be aware that there are a couple scenes of violence.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for the eARC. Wings of Ebony will be published January 26th, 2021.

4/5 stars

The only reason this wasn't a five-star read for me was because I felt like it was too short, to be honest. Most of the things I liked about it could have been stretched out further (the romance could have been more developed, the training could have been delved into more, etc), and the final showdown would have made more sense to me if there had been more build-up.

That said, the main character Rue's relationship to her best friend Bri was one of the part of this book I thought was so well-done. Both of their characterizations were on-point, and J. Elle did a great job taking them each along on their individual journey. I won't give details on what those journeys looked liked because spoilers, but they were finely crafted.

Another thing J. Elle did really well in this book was that she was unflinching in her exploration of racism, white supremacy, and the way these two ills function as literal diseases and evils that can crack and destroy not just our world, but any other world they should touch. And no, that doesn't mean the book was moralistic or that the plot was sacrificed for any reason; it just means the author did a great job weaving this message/topic in with her story.

All in all, despite the fact that I wanted *more* from the book, I think it was an excellently told story that packs a powerful punch, and I can't wait to see where the rest of the book takes us!

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 tackled 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!

4.5 stars

This is a strong YA fantasy novel, and I am chomping at the bit for the next installment; you will feel the same when you finish this first novel!

More than any other subgenre within YA, I find myself really enjoying or being really irritated by fantasy. For me, this one absolutely falls into the second category; there's a lot to like here.

The m.c., who is most often called Rue, is a great character to follow. After her mother's fairly recent death, she is forced to leave her home and remaining friends and family - most notably, a younger sister named Tasha - behind as she is spirited off to a world of magic with her...FATHER! A whole lot of vital information is missing from this equation, including what this place is, how she got to this moment, what's up with her dad, and so much more. It is exciting to learn the answers to some of these questions as readers join Rue on an unexpected quest to right many wrongs, uncover some intense lies, and reveal more about who she is.

What Elle does so well here is integrate some of the struggles of modern society into a realistic and magical world. Through the characters and their experiences, Elle gives readers a chance to get into some serious windows and mirrors business, depending on their incoming histories and identities. I really love how this element never comes through as didactic or distracting from the central storyline; it's just a horrifying backdrop for everything in the novel, as it is for all aspects of our modern lives.

I could have done with a bit of economizing around the final scenes, but I was engaged and interested throughout the entire work.

I can't wait for more installments in this series, and I am excited to read whatever Elle writes.

In J. Elle's debut fantasy novel, readers are taken on a journey that is both fantastical and relevant to today's climate. Rue is trying to get back to see her sister, Tasha, who was left in Houston after their mother's death. Rue, whose father takes her to New Ghizon, a place of magic, risks everything to get back. Her desire to see her sister again starts a chain of events that lead Rue to the truth about her neighborhood and New Ghizon.

For the most part, I really enjoyed this book and, as I've said about other YA books with Black protagonists, I really wish I had a book like this to read when I was a teenager. Although I did not grow up like Rue, so many of the things she and her neighbors went through are still very relevant to me. Especially being the oldest and feeling responsible for EVERYTHING. I really felt the burdens Rue had on her shoulders, burdens she did not have to carry on her own, as Black women often do. Trying to remain strong when a good cry is the only remedy was relatable and I'm glad the author included that theme in the novel.

I also enjoyed the timeline. It wasn't the traditional timeline (girl is regular, girl finds magic, girl goes to magical place, girl has epic battle and maybe a boyfriend, girl triumphs). Instead, the timeline was split, with Rue having been in New Ghizon for a year when the book starts. I thought that change was great and hope more authors do this.

Some of the writing was a little overdone, especially when it came to Rue's feelings about her Dad. We get it, she's mad about him, we don't need the constant reminders. Also, some of the dialogue was preachy but I understood why it was. Luckily, it didn't detract from the overall story too much, which still made the book a very enjoyable reading experience.

I'm looking forward to the next book because there is no way on Earth the author can leave me hanging like that.

The fantasy trope where the protagonist discovers they’re a descendant of a magical being and has to learn to use their powers is pretty well-trodden ground. But Wings of Ebony puts a really nuanced spin on it for two reasons:

1. The protagonist Definitely Did Not Ask For This, Thanks
2. The true origins of her birthright are a little more complicated than they might seem ...

I loved getting to know Rue as a hero — it can be really hard to pull off the reluctant hero trope without making them seem whiny or apathetic, but Rue is a total badass and cares deeply about helping people. Even if she kind of hates the people who gave her powers (not to spoil anything, but uh ... her instincts aren’t exactly wrong on that front)

Oh yah, and her darkest moment literally had me bawling my eyes out! So def bring tissues.

The themes of community, ancestry, and combating racism are woven beautifully into the plot, and definitely gave me food for thought. While there are some overt racists (who get soundly thrashed), there’s also discussion of how even well-meaning people in a position of privilege can help perpetuate oppression.

The story itself is fast-paced for a fantasy novel, so if you’ve been on the lookout for a quick fantasy read, definitely check this one out! The twists kept me devouring the pages, and though I would have liked to see a little more of the world of Ghizon, I figure I’ll get my wish in the sequel.

This book was ABSOLUTELY fantastic! Rue was such an interesting character and her power set was so cool and diverse. I loved learning about Ghizon and the sadly familiar story of colonialism impacting a community of color. I think the messages here were fabulous and really fresh in the YA fantasy genre. I’m kind of dying at that cliffhanger (WHAT IS GONNA HAPPEN) but the book was fabulous and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Wings of Ebony is a very fast-paced novel that will speak to the intended YA audience of the urban fantasy genre: the marginalized and the ones who are told they don't matter. J. Elle has created a very realistic character and voice in Rue. There isn't a forced feeling of authenticity in her mentality, struggles, and hopes. Elle also doesn't hold back in the language which is one of the many things that makes the voice in this book authentic. This novel truly shines in its expression of community and reclaims what it means to live in the "hood". An urban YA fantasy written for who it was meant for. Well done!