I was super excited when I was approved to review Wings of Ebony. The story started out with a great premise, but around halfway in, I still felt that the world was snot that believable. It lacked depth and I had trouble figuring out what Ghazan looked like. Rue was a great protagonist and I could relate to the love of her sister.

Bullets don’t have names. But if they did, chances are one would have mine. Or someone brown-skinned like me.”

Rue, half-god, half-human, breaks Ghizon's law of NOT LIVING to see her sister on the anniversary of their mother’s death in Houston. Only to discover that Black kids are being forced into crime and violence. And her sister, Tasha, is in danger of falling sway to the very forces that claimed their mother’s life.

Fast-paced and engaging, #WingsOfEbony through the world of fantasy let's the reader see how Black people are being mistreated through white supremacy and racism.

While it was empowering to see a lead Black teen as the heroine and character development, i wanted more. It felt rushed in regards to world building. Although it turns out to be a series (which I can't wait for).

How gorgeous is the cover image though?

I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read more from this author. The plot was very fast-paced and kept me engaged. I liked the characters and how they were fleshed out by the author.

Thank you to Caffeine Book Tours, the publisher, and Netgalley for sending me a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

When I first heard of Wings of Ebony, I was beyond hyped to be getting another fantasy book featuring literal Black Girl Magic! In 2020, most of my favorite new fantasy books starred people who look like me and I’m ready for that representation to continue in 2021. So, seeing the title and reading the synopsis, I knew this was a book that I’d want to read.

The story follows a young Black woman named Rue, who has recently discovered that magic is not only real, but her long-absent father lives in a place where it can be bound to you. Rue grew up in East Row, a neighborhood in Houston that is more family to her than the strange people in her new ‘home’ can ever be, and she is desperate to get back to see her sister on the anniversary of their mother’s death. When she finds a way back, however, not only does she break one of the cardinal rules of the Ghizoni, but she sets off a series of events that will change her, her neighborhood, and the secret island of magic users, forever.

Y’all, when I tell you this story drops you into the action and keeps you running until the very end! This was such an engaging, exciting read that completely captured my attention as soon as I read the first page! I will admit that it took me a second to get my bearings. There isn’t a ton of explanation, at first, and most of it gets told through flashbacks as you get deeper into the story. But, once I adjusted to the way the story was being unfolded, I was engrossed. The writing is punchy, making the pages flow by at such a pace that you don’t realize that you’ve been reading for hours when you come up for a breath. Not that you’ll want to… this is a book that could definitely be read in one sitting because you just need to know what happens next!

In conjunction with the great writing, I think the author does a fantastic job with the world-building. She creates an incredibly rich world and mythology that sets fire to the imagination! I will admit that, at the beginning, there were moments when it felt a bit info-dumpy, but, in the context of Rue being dropped into the middle of this society she knows nothing about, it kind of makes sense. We’re learning along with Rue and it’s utterly fascinating. I have to admit, I loved the mythology and background we learn of later in the book way more and I wish we had gotten more of it! Thankfully, this is just the first book in a series, so I’m hoping we get more in future books.

Moving on from the incredible setting, though, I have to talk about our lead character, Rue. I absolutely adore Rue! Did she make me want to shake her? Frequently. But I blame that on the fact that the author did an excellent job of portraying a teenage girl on the cusp of adulthood forced to make a lot of very hard decisions. All while trying to protect the family and the home that she loves. That’s a lot to place on any young woman’s shoulder and, when you add the fact that she’s one of the only Black people in Ghizon where she’s treated with suspicion and distain, you begin to understand her motivation. Still wanted to shake her, though, lol. J. Elle has crafted such an incredibly real and complex character, who feels like someone I could bump into on the street. It’s beautiful watching Rue on her journey of growth and magic and I can’t wait to see where she goes from here! The supporting characters are crafted with just as much care, though I will say that Rue’s potential love interest(s) could have used a bit more fleshing out.

Speaking of love interest, there is a splash of romance in this story that kind of took me by surprised. It seemed to come out of nowhere and threw me off just a tad, at first. I found myself more or less on board as the story advanced, but I honestly was so wrapped up in the action that I kept forgetting about the romance until it was right in front of my face, lol. I’m hoping it gets more interwoven into the story as it progresses because I thought it was sweet! Just kind of sudden.

Final thoughts: Black Girl Magic strikes again! Wings of Ebony is a beautifully imagined and fast-paced fantasy that asks a lot of questions about what one is willing to do for their family. It’s a love letter to tight-knit Black communities. And it’s a fantasy filled with magic and danger that features a beautiful Black young woman with all her flaws and strengths on full display. I loved the nuance of our main character, Rue. I loved that we learn about this new world along with her, though it can be a bit info-dumpy. And I loved the way this story sucks you in and will not let go! If you’re looking for a fantasy that digs into the concept of family, of racism, and features Blackness front and center, I think you would enjoy Wings of Ebony!

When people we love are in danger and we have the means to stop it – we do something. Even if it’s against the rules.

Rue is such a wonderful character, she doesn’t take crap from anyone and fiercely protective over those she loves but she will still call them out if they do something wrong and honestly that’s the best type of friend. She is empathetic and caring but she’s also stubborn and finds it hard to rely on anyone or ask for help because she feels it’s her against the world but I loved seeing her slowly realise she isn’t alone. One of things about her I really loved was that she is afraid but it doesn’t stop her from doing what is right and to get justice for those who couldn’t get it for themselves. Her protectiveness over her sister was so relatable as I’m also an older sibling and I just felt for her that she feels responsible for her sister and the guilt at not being able to do more for her.

It was also so heart breaking to read about her grief for her mum and her complicated relationship with her dad as she only meets him after her mum dies and he just drags her away from everyone and everything at a time when she needs those who she loves and knows. I really liked seeing that over time she slowly becomes more open to speaking to her dad but that doesn’t mean she absolves him of never being there or dragging her away to Ghizon, even though he explains why. It just felt so much real. Basically I just really loved Rue and I cannot wait to see what she will do in the sequel especially after that ending!

Who expects their history be erased?

I also loved the discussions on colonisation and erasing history and twisting to make the colonisers the heroes. It was just so real and hard hitting and it would make me stop reading to just think and reflect on what I read. I also loved how Rue calls Bri out for centring herself and making herself the victim when Rue tells her how the magic was stolen. I was literally screaming YESS when I read those scenes.

There was also some incredible discussions on how people view certain communities, always assuming the worst from those people when all they are trying to do is get on with their lives and they want to provide the best for their kids just like the white people from more affluent neighbourhoods. How the people there are mostly ordinary people who live in fear because of the violence that could come for them any day. How youth are killed for refusing to be forced into a life of crime. How a young person can be manipulated by adults into a life of crime and violence and then find there isn’t a way out. How often the one doing this isn’t even from their neighbourhood but from somewhere else and yet it these people who suffer.

We gotta be twice as good from the start to get half of what other people get. People everywhere waiting for us to fail.

This is such a wonderful book with an incredible story and a great main character. I highly recommend reading it!

I have received a copy of Wings of Ebony in exchange for creative content during a blog tour. You may find the creative content on my blog.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My favorite (and only 5 star rating) of 2021 so far! Wings of Ebony was a perfect mix of real world and fantasy. I loved learning about the magic system. I loved Rue. She was so strong and badass! I loved how she fought for her people - magic and nonmagic. This was a fast paced read that I didn't want to put down. Can't wait for book #2!

Wings of Ebony is a totally inventive, heart-racing, inspirational new contemporary fantasy--you'll root for Rue from page one, and J. Elle's world-building is incredible.

There's a new Rue in town...and she is UNSTOPPABLE! I love badass female protagonists- Black Girl Magic FTW!

“Bullets don’t have names. But if they did, chances are one would have mine. Or someone brown-skinned like me.”

WINGS OF EBONY starts with a punch, and keeps on throwing punches till the end in this striking urban fantasy debut that is most certainly *not* to be missed. Even as I write this review at this very moment, I'm struggling to articulate the sheer importance and power that this novel carries — it is one that deserves every single word of praise.

We follow Rue, right after she was uprooted from her beloved neighborhood of East Row, and whisked off to a secret island tucked at the coast of Africa, Ghizon. Right away, we get a sense of what an amazing character Rue is: her authencity pops right off the page. She is fierce and loyal, fearless, yet not invulnerable. She refuses to be intimidated — not by the othering stares of native Ghizonis, not by literally life-threatening danger, and not by the injustice that is physically embedded within the world around her.

Rue's relationship with her the side characters around her is endearing, and realistically messy. Her bond with her younger sister, Tasha, her cautious relationship with her father who (may or may not have) willingly abandoned her, her love for her grandma-like figure, Ms. Leola, and her familial-esque friendship with her entire community of East Row is one that is simply heartwarming. They've all got each other's backs, and we, as the readers, love to see it. While I felt a little iffy about the romance, at the end of the day, it simply doesn't matter because, without a doubt, WINGS OF EBONY is completely and unapologetically Rue's story.

As the plot unravels and escalates — quickly, and completely attention-grabbing, I might add — the number of themes J. Elle addresses so eloquently and smoothly is awe-inspiring. Her raw and unflinching portrayal of racism, colonization, performative allyship, gentrification, oppression, cultural appropriation, the public image of poverty in the United States, and so. much. more. is incredible and hard hitting, from start to finish.

Pair this all up with an intriguing magic system, and you've got a recipe for one of the best fantasies to grace the shelves in 2021: WINGS OF EBONY.

While there was some things that did not fully work for me — the writing style, which is a little dry for me, and the pacing, which I felt drags and then pinches up and rushes at some points — I cannot emphasize enough that none of these issues detract a single thing away from my highest recommendation of this book. Please! Read it!

This book is absolutely amazing. Following Rue on her journey to protect everyone she loves, this a fast-paced read that I would give to even the most reluctant readers. I also enjoyed that, even though this is a fantasy, there really wasn't world-building in the sense that entire pages were devoted to descriptions of place and things. Everything is described as the action is happening so that the reader still gets a clear sense of what Ghizon and East Row look like. There is also quite a bit of social commentary in this book, especially with racism and colonization. Again, I would definitely recommend this book, and I already have to several coworkers.

Wow....just wow....I do not have words and this will be a book that sits with me for months after reading. A book seemingly about magic and multiple worlds on the surface but don’t be fooled. That is all one level but beneath it is an examination of racism, white allieship, gentrification and the dehumanization of black and brown people in our society. And that isn’t even a full list to truly capture all the topics dealt with in this book.... there is also love, friendship, family (both blood and neighborhood) and how all those things make you who you are. Imagine a combination of the best of Black Panther, The Hate You Give, Harry Potter and The Hunger Games and you MIGHT come close to what this book has to offer. But it and read it immediately.

Rue is a child of the 'hood; she grew up with her mother and sister, and without a father, in what appears, at first glance, to be a somewhat typical story - but it immediately becomes apparent that her story is not typical; immediately after the death of her mother, her missing father appears, scoops her out of her life, and takes to Ghizon, a hidden island run on magic. In Ghizon, magic comes from the Chancellor, who discovered how to imbue onyx stones with magic, which are then implanted in the wrists of the citizen of Ghizon when they come of age at 17. As the daughter of Aasim, the third in command of Ghizon, who met Rue's mother and left her before Rue was born, Rue is destined to hold a comfortable place in Ghizon society - but her upbringing on the block leaves her with a set of values that are totally different from those around her, values that could either help or hinder her integration into Ghizon.

Throughout the novel, Rue demonstrates a strong moral code based on taking care of the family - the intertwined residents of her block and 'hood, who are related in ways that go beyond blood. Ghizon society is stratified by rank, as indicated by one's job, but unified by its racial uniformity; only Rue and her father Aasim stand out from the grayish skin of the Ghizon people. At the very beginning of the novel, Rue is waiting for her younger sister to come out, the younger sister she hasn't seen since her father whisked her away immediately following the murder of their mother, and Rue's concern for her sister Tasha sets the tone for the entire book - no matter what happens, no matter the consequences, Tasha comes first. Rue's definition of family never changes, although the people she defines as family does, as she learns more about her father and why he abandoned her and her mother, and why he came back for her when he did. I enjoyed watching Rue as she grows and evolves throughout the novel, and look forward to the sequel that was implied at the end.

Wings of Ebony is a ya fantasy novel featuring black girl magic, strong characters and and a propulsive plot. I absolutely adored this book from the magic system to the commentary a prevelent social, cultural and racial issues that have always, and continue to, plague out society.

At the heart of the novel is Rue, pulsing with independence, fierce loyalty, and just a bit of magic. When Rue’s mother is murdered, she is taken to the magical land of Ghizon to live with her father. In Ghizon, Rue struggles to belong and it’s not just because of the color of her skin. Rue is loud, headstrong and takes up space with purpose and intention. It is refreshing to see a female protagonist who ignores social niceties and expectations to be herself and protect her family.

While I do wish we had been give more insight into the magic system– which I have on good authority will be provided in Book 2– I loved the balance the author took between Ghizon and her life with her sister in the neighborhood of her youth. The reader is told just enough to avoid confusion and I always appreciate the show don’t tell style of certain fantasy stories.

Thematically, Wings of Ebony tackles a lot of important social issues including systemic racism, colonialism, racial identity, and family. I was fascinated by the way J. Elle used the magic system of Ghizon to explore these difficult topics and appreciated the hard conversations that occurred on the page which called out systemic racism and white privilege. J. Elle and her characters are unapologetic and it’s some thing that the book community needs right now.

Yet perhaps the most moving part of the book for me was Rue’s relationship with her father and how it progressed throughout the novel. I honestly think it was so moving because it was so unexpected.

If you can’t tell, I gave Wings of Ebony 5🌟 and would recommend it to fans of Angie Thomas, Tomi Adiyemi, and Tracy Deonn.

While this had the bones of a great book, it fell flat for me. It seemed rushed and the timejumps back and forth made it confusing. The world building of Ghizon wasn't really explored, I feel like there could of been so much more. I wanted to love it, but it was just okay to me.

***3.5 STARS***

THE 411...

“𝐼𝑡’𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑢𝑧𝑧𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑝𝑢𝑚𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦. 𝐼𝑡’𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑛𝑜 𝑜𝑛𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑠 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑚𝑒 - 𝑏𝑢𝑡 ℎ𝑖𝑚. 𝐼𝑡’𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑚𝑦 ℎ𝑜𝑚𝑒. 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑠𝑒 𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑚𝑦 𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒.”

Wings of Ebony is a debut YA Fantasy set between the mortal world in Houston and the magical world of Ghizon. Our MC Rue has just witnessed her mother’s murder when a father she never knew comes to take her away. Rue is a Demigod. Her sister Tasha who has a different father, is not. Separated from her sister & the only home she’s known, Rue must adapt in Ghizon. She has a whole lot of bottled up emotions and she’s done holding back. On the one year anniversary of her mother’s death she breaks Ghizon law by returning to Houston to see her sister. She finds that her sister & other black & POC kids from the neighborhood have unwillingly been roped into street crime & violence. This book tackled some hard hitting issues affecting inner city youth, specifically black & POC families. Kids whose parents work long hours to survive while the neighborhood looks after one another. “It takes a village to raise a child” is a quote that comes to mind when reading Wings of Ebony and Rue loves her village. She’s angry at how the youth are portrayed whenever the news covers a shooting, and at how cops turn the other way. I was rooting for Rue, Tasha & all the neighborhood kids to take back their home. Rue is a no nonsense straight shooter who is loyal to her roots, she’s unapologetically going to take back what was once taken from her and for that alone, she is a stand-out memorable kick a** MC!

WRITING & FINAL THOUGHTS...

Wings of Ebony will absolutely appeal to fans of Angie Thomas' The Hate U Give and Tomi Adeyemi's Children of Blood and Bone, written in a raw authentic voice that invokes a range of emotions. J. Elle puts a spotlight on the issues plaguing black and brown communities in cities like Houston. Families that are forced to make a choice between staying home to watch the kids or put food on the table. The concept of the neighborhood's older grandmothers watching over the youth is a very real one that I for one can relate to having been raised by two working parents with no child care. The frustration Rue feels, her mixed feelings when it comes to asking for help from the cops is as real as it gets. I felt the author captured what inner city life looks like for a lot of working families in these neighborhoods.

This story however takes place between two worlds, it's a Fantasy set in Ghizon AND Houston. Here is where I felt the story took some hits, the pacing was off and so the time we actually spend in Ghizon is limited. I would've gladly read this book if it were 500 pages if it meant that Ghizon were more fleshed out and the magic system better explained. Things take a  turn around the 65% mark for the better but by then I did feel we were rushing towards a conclusion. We get introduced to a love interest in the midst of a revolution which I personally could've done without OR seen it introduced in the next book. I also wish the relationship between Rue and her father was better explored, it's understandable she has a TON of mixed emotions towards him...we just don't see enough father/daughter relationships in books. Although I felt the Fantasy aspects of this book were a bit under developed, I honestly feel based off the last 40% that the follow up will build on what we've seen here. I did secure a finished copy from Barnes & Nobles which is offering bonus content I feel would be a shame to miss out on because they're letters from Rue's Dad & Book Lovers! I balled my eyes out!!! the letters also include some sketches that are pretty dope!

I have made it to the end and I LOVED it. This book is at once YA, but something I would have no problem (and will probably) handing over to my 5th grade nephew. The cover may be purple/pink and gold but there is something there for everyone.

Rue is just a girl in her hood, East Row. Or at least she was just a girl. Until the day her mother died. She had no idea that magic existed, and that she can possess it. But in typical fashion for someone who feels abandoned, she is not too happy with the father she just met. Not only has he not been in the picture for as long as she could remember, but he has taken her away from her hood, from her sister, and from the life she was living. Magic is nice and all, but Rue would give it all back to have her sister.

There are lots of discussions of #TeamJamal, or #TeamJulius. I can’t really pick on. I lean one way, but the thing is, this isn’t a romance. There are some feelings, but it’s a side action. We are just barely introduced to these characters. This story is not about a love triangle. This story is about Rue, her sister, and her home. All of her homes.

But something sinister is going on in the Row. Guns, Drugs, Thugs. And somehow her sister is involved. Rue is going to get to the bottom of the danger in her hood, figure out her new magical life, and hopefully survive the entire ordeal.

Readers will see modern politics reflected in these pages, but it is reflected in a way that is approachable and makes for teachable moments. Black kids will see themselves, their family, their home. White kids, hopefully will get a better understanding of what it feels like to be Black in american society or at least hopefully understand why or how our views are flawed. Bri is an example of someone who doesn’t understand at first but tries to learn, like many in our modern society should try to do.

This book was a fabulous read. The Black Girl Magic spills from the pages. And while I was constantly asking questions, or was annoyed with Rue for not giving her dad a chance, it all was wrapped up in a nice neat package that left a smile on my face at the end. But the story hasn’t ended, and as a member of Rue’s Crew, I am really hoping J. Elle will be generous with galleys for book 2. I don’t think I can wait an entire another year to find out what happens in Ghazan.

This is one of the 2021 debuts that I was really looking forward to, and I’m glad to say that it did not disappoint. You know when you start reading a book and know right away that it’s just going to be amazing? Yep. That’s what happened here.

It’s a crossover between urban fantasy, taking place in the hood of Houston, and fantasy, in Ghizon, which is an incredibly well-crafted world. The world building is done beautifully, with an entire caste-based society, history, language, magic system, and holidays/customs all described in such a clear and intriguing way. Just like any other society, Ghizon has a dark side to it as well, and involves discrimination.

J. Elle doesn’t shy away from portraying Rue’s Houston neighborhood realistically either, displaying both the good and the bad. While it’s clear that there is no trust between the people and law enforcement, media doesn’t show any interest in what happens to the residents of East Row, and the people living there are no strangers to drugs, violence, and death, the community is more than just neighbors — they’re family.

I loved the emotional impact this book had. Rue dealt with some heavy emotions throughout the entire story, but her feelings were all so realistic. She was dealing with grief, fear, anger, frustration, hurt, and loneliness. Rue is angry but channels it to create positive change for herself, her family, and her community, and even brings that change to wider circles. She faced an uphill battle, leaving a predominantly Black community that functioned as a supportive family after a traumatic event, and then being transported to a society where she’s basically an outcast and one of two Black people.

Rue wasn’t the only character who showed growth during the book. So many of the main characters had amazing growth arcs over the course of the story, and that wasn’t even the best part! The story itself was exciting, and I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. I was actually disappointed when I had to adult and put the book down, and would count the time down until I could start reading again. The author wasn’t afraid to discuss racism, empowerment, hate, social justice, family dynamics, and forgiveness, and I can only hope that the next book in this series come out soon, because I’m here for it!

Such high hopes for this title but it fell short in many places. Let me start with the biggest issue we all see right off the bat which is world building. The author was chaotic with her world building adding things that are: meaningless, taken from other fantasy books, or things just messing. The pace of the book was fast right from the get go and offers a lot but things slow down due to that failed world building, and intro to a love triangle that lack both passion and reasoning. I wish I can say something good even about the main character Rue but once again we are lacking so much. Now, this book is short so there is promise to fix some of these issues with a series. The problem I have is if the first book in the series does not start off strong then I don’t hold much hope for the rest.

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.