I absolutely loved this book. When I saw it pop up on net galley and I read the description I knew instantly I wanted to read this book! I'm a veterinary student therefore seeing a book about West Nile virus got me very excited. As I started reading this book it reminded me of the film Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, this is kind of the world I imagined as I read the book and it made me fall even more in love. I loved that this story is told from the POV of the crows and following their journey. And the sprinkle of the human POV linking it back to more how we delt with it in the human world too, making the connection between the two worlds. Honestly such a good read and what an interesting view point. Especially as someone who has learned and studied about the West Nile virus.
Would definitely recommend to my friends (already recommended to one of my friends who has a net galley account and West Nile virus happens to be one of her favourite virus to study).

Shade of Wings is a striking and deeply imaginative young adult novel that invites readers to view catastrophe, survival, and family through a perspective we rarely consider: New York City's crow population during the 1999 West Nile virus outbreak. Pam McGaffin crafts a speculative tale both tender and tension-filled, with atmospheric storytelling sure to please the fans of Laline Paull.

At the core of the novel stands Duncan, a four-year-old crow who never expected to carry with him the weight of responsibility. Though he is eldest, Duncan struggles with self-doubt and a personal mistake that keeps him from leaving the nest to find a mate. When a mysterious sickness termed the “blind death” begins sweeping through the city, Duncan's parents succumb, thrusting him into the reluctant role of protector. He must suddenly lead his siblings through a world that grows increasingly hazardous by the day.

The author balances the intimate family dynamics of the crows with the broader human crisis unfolding across New York: the first signs seen by a zoo pathologist in dying flamingos, hospitals beginning to fill with critically ill patients, and soon suspicion turns toward the crows themselves. This dual narrative intertwines exquisitely to show how fear spreads as rapidly as disease and that vulnerability is universal, regardless of species.

What really makes Shade of Wings memorable, though, is its empathy. The emotional weight Duncan and Cloud carry is written so clearly that their struggles feel achingly human. The writing is vivid, atmospheric, full of heart.

4.5!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC.

This was a story about grief, learning to accept yourself and your mistakes.

It's a pandemic story and I relate to it a little more

It follows the pov's of crows and humans and it was very beautifully written.

If we had more time in the human pov's I would've loved it even more.

I've found out that I'm loving the fiction/historical fiction genre a lot more lately.

Shade of Wings is a beautifully written, emotionally charged story that grabs hold of you and doesn’t let go. Pam McGaffin has created a world that feels both vivid and intimate, blending coming-of-age themes with just the right touch of mystery and magic. The prose is lyrical without ever losing clarity, and the emotional honesty running through every chapter makes it impossible not to connect with the characters. What stood out most to me was the balance between realism and imagination. The story explores grief, identity, and resilience with sensitivity and depth, but it also carries a sense of wonder that keeps you turning pages. The protagonist’s journey feels authentic and raw, filled with moments of both heartbreak and hope.