Well. I’m crying. This book was so brutally honest.

T. Lillian Decker is genetically predisposed to develop schizophrenia between the ages of 18 to 30 - it runs in her family. So she has a 12-Year Plan: graduate high school, become a writer, avoid romance, and above all, stay away from any triggers or stress. This plan gets torn apart though; while covering a story on Swifty, a baby elephant, as part of her internship with a local newspaper, Swifty is rejected by her mother. Thus begins her journey as she abandons her safety net to follow Swifty on a road trip, as the zoo and the circus fight for the baby elephant.

The cast of characters was incredible. Lily is such a 3-dimensional character, and I feel that readers will be able to relate to her, whether it is to her mental illness, her unease of the future, her uncertainty of who she is, or her determination to make just make it through the day. The other supporting characters are authentically flawed and original.

The romance was good could’ve been better developed. It felt a little bit sudden and stereotypical, since the romantic lead was a sort of dark-horse/loner with a secretive past and questionable actions.

Most importantly, When Elephants Fly was educational without being preachy. Nancy Richardson Fischer examines mental health with all its nuances and without condemnation. She also expertly ties in the plight of wild elephants, and uses it as a device to encourage Lily's character growth. Lily's character grows from hesitant to honest, and from fear to courage. It is obvious that Fischer did her research.
Bam goes the gavel. I’ve been found guilty of having fucked-up genes. The sentence is for life. No possibility of parole.

The writing tackled all these heavy topics, but it was readable and emotional. Lily's narration is in a constant struggle - should she do the moral, humanitarian thing, or should she play it safe? Should she live in fear but without schizophrenia or fight for something better? Throughout the novel, Lily and her circumstances constantly pulled at my heartstrings, but her bravery and tenacity was inspiring.

I literally had tears in my eyes after I flipped the last page. The ending was open-ended but hopeful, and very real.

I enjoyed reading this book and plan to purchase it for my school library. I enjoyed the positive message.

This book sticks with you. I like to think of myself as someone who doesn’t cry easily at books or movies, but I would strongly suggest reading the end with tissues nearby. But don’t let that scare you off from reading the book. While I wouldn’t classify it as a happy story, it isn’t an a story written with the intent to break your heart.

The opening seemed a bit tired to me, so I was initially skeptical. The plot device of an individual who is worried about their mental health and has developed strict rules to cope that limit their engagement with the rest of the world gets quite a bit of play. The catalyst event, where the mother elephant’s rejection of her calf gets out in the most damaging way possible, felt a bit like the moment of a made-for-tv movie where you yell at the lead character “don’t do that! That’s the worst choice you could make!” but was forgivable as the story really started to get rolling. As was the use of a teen country singer turned pop superstar with legions of adoring fans, in a not-at-all subtle reference to the real world - it felt a bit forced and clumsy, but was used for the plot effectively.

There’s a lot going on in this story, and I don’t know if it is able to really access all the potential it holds. The issues it does chose to focus on, Lily’s personal struggle with her future and mental health, her relationships with her parents and best friend, and the depth of her connection with Swifty, the rejected elephant calf. The part of the book that resonated most for me was the second half - and for reasons that I can’t discuss without ruining the book for other readers. Parts of the plot may be predictable, but Fischer creates memorable scenes around the predictability. My favorite non-spoiler laden one? A baby elephant playing tag with a caretaker.

Final verdict: The first section may feel slow, but stick with it. Read with tissues, and hand to anyone in your life who likes an emotional YA coming of age novel.

*thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me this copy in exchange for an honest review*

This was a wonderfully written book full of emotion. The main character’s struggle with mental illness and the way they are able to overcome in spite of is truly inspiring.

Overall, I was really impressed by this book. Didn't think that it would grab me as much as it did. It looks like a tomb but between the pace of the writing and the question of what will happen next, the pages seem to fly by. The plot was well thought out and had all of these intricate details that the reader just seems to pick up on. The characters were well developed and realistic, they seemed like real people and as readers, we were part of their lives. I think this book has a very unique story to tell and it is definitely one that I can recommend to everyone! Thank you so much to Harlequin Teen for providing me with a copy of this book.

Beautiful, sweet, thought-provoking and a real cry-fest.

When Elephants Fly: Lily has lead a careful life and plans to continue to live a careful life in an attempt to skirt the mental illness that made her mother try to kill her. When the internship at the local paper has her cover the birth of an elephant, and the elephant is later nearly killed by its’ own mother, Lily has to reevaluate what it means to live.

The plot is touching and beautiful. The themes are tough, scary and heart-breaking.
Although there was a best-friend, parent issues and a love interest, this book goes above and beyond your run of the mill YA; much more focus was given to the issues of mental illness, self-discovery, animal abuse and conservation. I loved that the ending wasn’t necessarily a happily ever after.

This was a fantastic read.

Thank you Harlequin Teen for this free review copy.

This book has stayed with me since I finished it a couple of days ago. Mental illness is handled in such a graceful and enlightening way in this story. I got hooked in and was rooting for Swifty and Lily until the the last word. I love stories with good character development, and this one certainly delivered. I learned from this book, and I think it's an excellent opening for a dialogue about mental illness and facing fears. This is a book that can reduce stigma and help build empathy, and that makes it great in my opinion.

This was a young adult book, however the content of this book was very serious and touched on intense topics that most young adult books don't touch. This wasn't your typical girl gets crush on boy has falling out with her friends and family type of book. This one touches on mental illness and dealing with death and hard decisions. It was very unexpected however it was a nice change. And the way that the author managed to change between the darkness of mental illness to the lightness of naming a baby elephant was so flawless I'm not sure how she pulled it off. This book is all about our main character living her life constantly worrying that she is going to develop schizophrenia like her mother did. When she was young her mother got this disease and tried to kill her, luckily she survived. However because of this she lives in constant fear that the disease will come for her as well. This drives her to find out what happens when she hears about a young elephant almost killed by its mother and the lengths she goes to try to help it. She kidnaps the young elephant from the abuse it suffers at the local fair and takes it on a journey across the country to an animal sanctuary all while the police, her family, and the fair are looking for her and questioning her sanity. Is she suffering from schizophrenia like her mother was? I loved this book, the way the author took a very serious subject but didn't make it dry, and still managed to give it a young adult feel to the story was amazing. I really liked the realism in this story. However I think the thing that I loved the most was that there weren't to many characters it was mostly Lily, her friend Otis, and the elephant Swifty. The characters that were in this story however were very likable and really made you root for them even through their major flaws. Very good read. It was nice to see a YA book not focused on love and relationships but rather hard issues, like abuse, mental illness and friendship. Great read and I'm very glad I got the chance to check it out.

Lily is afraid that she will end up like her mother, who suffered from schizophrenia, she is trying all she can to achieve her dreams of being a journalist all while keeping her mental sanity in check. When Lily covers the story of a baby elephant named Swifty Jones, whose mother tried to kill her. Lily feels she must stick with the story and fight for the safety of the baby elephant.

Lily is a strong, determined character who is fighting for her dreams. She is afraid of becoming her mother and she is fighting against the odds that are stacked against her. I really enjoyed seeing Lily with the baby elephant Swifty and seeing her help take care of the elephant. Lily worked hard to fight and keep Swifty alive and help fight for her wellbeing. It was sad to see how much Swifty struggled and start to lose the fight to survive. I particularly liked the friendship that forms between Swifty and a small dog named Flea. Lily had a great friend in Sawyer, he was supportive of her and looks out for her best interest.

This was an entertaining read that I enjoyed. There are some sad scenes that deal with mistreatment of animals that can be hard to read.

Thank you to Harlequin Teen for the free review copy of this novel. All opinions are my own. 

This book will be so good for teens to get their hands on. There are a lot of heavy topics in this book: mental illness and the stigma surrounding it, sexuality, animal abuse, familial problems. This book is great at addressing these topics and making the reader think about them. I hope that teens are inspired by this work of fiction to think about what they believe and why. 

There are so many different opinions in this novel, which helps make it  be one that will cause deep thought, but will also help to have it be remembered in the minds of its readers for a long while. 

And on a random note, there are lots of elephant facts in this book, and I love elephants, so that was just an added bonus!

I’m literally lost for words. When Elephants Fly by Nancy Richardson Fischer was truly a page-turner, that left me smiling and crying and everything in between. I know my review won’t do this book justice, but if I could, I’d give this book six out of five, eleven out of ten.

With such a unique plotline, Nancy Richardson Fischer covers so many topics honestly and beautifully. It tackles so many serious issues that not only cover the treatment of animals, but mental illness and family as well.

Lily is unlike any character I’ve met. She’s smart, determined, and fearful for her life. Having almost been killed at the age of seven by her schizophrenic mother, Lily is worried that she’ll end up just like her. She does everything in her power to avoid triggering the illness, even when she realizes that the odds are stacked against her.

But after witnessing an elephant calf, Swifty, almost being killed by her own mother, Lily finds herself deeply connected to the calf. Her mission to save Swifty soon takes her on a road trip that results in her sacrificing all she has and leads her on a journey of self-discovery to finding what matters most to her.

This was my first time reading a book that tackles schizophrenia, and Fischer didn’t shy away from the cold hard truth. All of Lily’s fears and thoughts are revealed as she spirals into the inevitable condition. It was so raw and clear, and watching the illness manifest in Lily felt so real. While she recognizes that no two mental illnesses are the same, Fischer is able to write a story about mental health in a respectful and truthful way.

I loved the book so much for its originality, but also for its ability to draw readers in. Each character was so well thought out, with their own backstories and subplots so perfectly interwoven in the novel. Fischer’s writing and portrayal of the characters truly tug on readers’ hearts from the get-go.

Never have I felt so much love and passion for an animal like Swifty. Whenever there was Swifty, I would be filled with smiles or tears. Swifty, herself, was a rightful character in the book, and I loved that. While initially, Lily saw Swifty as no more than just an animal looking for love, she finds the little elephant growing on her to become someone very meaningful to her.

“Swifty has taught me that it’s not how long I live as me, it’s about how I live that matters.”

And the character development is beautiful. In the span of 400 pages, Lily transforms from a fearful teenager afraid to experience life into a force to be reckoned with. From the very start, you’re cheering her on as she goes on her journey to find out what matters most to her.

I’d buy a stack of these and make all my friends read it. Because Swifty and Tiger just deserve that much love ❤

Thank you Harlequin Teen and Netgalley for providing such a wonderful ARC. I am truly grateful for the opportunity. 🙂

I loved this book. First of all, who doesn't love elephants. The author has put some conservation facts in that really flow with the story. Second, who wouldn't want a best friend like Sawyer. He stands up for the bullied, gets all Lily's jokes and bails her out of some pretty intense situations, even when he's mad at her. Third, hasn't everyone thought about joining the circus? This one doesn't actually work out too well but it does make a great book.

This book is a beautiful and evocative story dealing with the long-term effects of mental illness, animal rights, being true to yourself, and the universal need to be loved for who we are.
The main character, T. Lily, starts off as a teenage girl who would be average if it weren’t for her past. Her daily life is fairly mundane, with her best friend, Sawyer, serving as the only true bright spot. During her time as an intern at an area paper, she becomes acquainted with a newly born baby elephant, Swift Jones (nicknamed Swifty). As described in the synopsis above, Swifty is rejected by her mother (in a direct parallel to Lily’s past with her own mother) and is forced to leave the zoo and relocated at a circus.
For those who may be sensitive to stories of animal or child abuse, both are discussed without relying heavily upon excess details. Both matters are handled sensitively, the topics written in a way to educate the reader, not for their shock value.
I found myself naturally drawn into the lives of the characters and I did not experience some of the disconnect that can occur when characters are too one dimensional. The conversations and interactions came across as organic and authentic. Likewise, the descriptions of first Oregon and then Florida were true to life without relying upon common stereotypes and ideas about the landscapes that have almost become cliché from overuse. Overall, this is a book that I would broadly recommend, because I think it would be appealing to anyone interested in contemporary fiction and looking for something that isn’t a quick and shallow read.
I received an advance copy of this title from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

#GoTigerGo #SaveSwifty

Compelling page turner I didn't set down from the moment I started reading until it was finished, this title was incredible. Lily and the other main characters were incredibly well written, thorough and inspiring.

"You can have anything you want, if you are willing to give up everything for it."
_ J M Barrie

Absolutely incredible, titles like this one are why I read, SO GOOD. ❤️ Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin TEEN for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The blurb and concept of this book drew me in and man, does it ever live up! Sooo good. This is a book that is sure to captivate readers like it did me. Sooo good!

I greatly enjoyed reading this book and learning more about what it’s like to live with a mental health condition like schizophrenia. I will definitely be purchasing a copy for my high school library.

Turn your back to change your view.

I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast
a stone across the waters to create many ripples. - Mother Teresa

Happy 18th Birthday
now worry begins- welcome to danger zone.
She now has a life sentence.
18-30 years old schizophrenia symptoms manifest
So now she starts her 12-yr plan- no drugs, alcohol, boyfriends, or stress.
Everything is on the line.
She goes to Zoo for interview and gets to witness an elephant calf's birth.
Then as she is sent to report a story for the newspaper, she becomes a part of the story.
Mother elephant's motherly instinct has not kicked in.
Now she struggles with her father, her flashbacks to her mother trying to kill her, her best friend,
and her impending insanity.
She travels to circus with baby elephant and another adventure begins.

I recommend this book, it was an adventure that I could not stop reading until I finished,
reading it all in a day.

Crazy is genetic. It's the house I was born inside. There are no windows, just two locked doors. One door leads to normal, the other to insanity. At some point I will inherit a key, but I don't get to pick which door it unlocks.

Dickens could learn a few things from Nancy Richardson Fischer because if that is not a gripping opening then I don't know what is. AND THIS IS A YA NOVEL.

Lily, our protagonist, feels like she is a ticking time bomb. She has two years until her chances of having the same mental illness as her mother decreases dramatically and she believe she will be in the clear.

What I love that the author does is she doesn't gloss over the unpleasant thoughts and feelings that Lily has, she doesn't use fluff to make Lily feel more at peace about her place in life or use Lily as a means to make readers feel optimist about mental health conditions. Instead, she offers up a sometimes unpleasant narrative that tugs on heartstrings and leaves readers in tears.

Trigger warnings if you do not like to read about animal abuse.

Full review on Goodreads. I enjoyed and rooted (and booed) the characters in this book. I would think that is an author's goal, so well done.

This is a beautifully written story about a young girl name T. Lillian Decker (Lily) who is on the verge of major life changes. Lily has spent her life worried about reaching the age she may start to see the signs of paranoid schizophrenia, something most of the women in her family have suffered from. She lives with her father and spends time with her best friend (who is facing his own difficult life choices), living a careful and controlled life, until a chance visit to the zoo and the birth of a baby elephant changes all of that. When Swift Jones is born, Lily is there for her internship and writes a story about it. Because of the public interest, she returns and finds herself in a eerily similar situation to the one she once faced when her own mother tried to kill her. Lily writes another article which become the catalyst for change in her life as the article draws attention to a side of animal behavior that isn't always discussed. Through the course of this novel Lily is forced to make choices and decided if she can in fact trust herself as she worries about being overcome by her past. She meets a cast of interesting characters and as she travels with Swifty to a new home, she realizes that not all things are as they seem. This novel really touched my heart because of the way the author introduced such a strong protagonist who was facing so many challenges that are all mirrored in Swift Jones and the survival of this young elephant. Thank you netgalley for this chance to read such a interesting story in exchange for my honest opinion.