We Need No Wings is introspective and touching, dealing with a combination of woman's experiences with grief, religion, feminism, aging, and more. We follow Tere as she tries to reconnect with an ancestor, Saint Teresa, after she begins to levitate a year after her husband's death. This aspect of magical realism becomes a tool with which Cardinal guides us through Tere's trauma and the lasting effects of it. I really like this idea; overall, the message gets across very well. At the same time, though, something about the dialogue felt unnatural and stilted--it took away from the novel at times. At the same time, I think Cardinal's attempts to talk about Tere's grief and even her inner thoughts were a little heavy-handed. We, as an audience, were told a lot more than shown. Though I wasn't the biggest fan of the execution, the topic of the novel itself was very engaging for me, especially as someone who is in a very different place in my life compared to Tere. 3.5 stars!

Thanks so much to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for the opportunity to read this as an eARC!

Very different, very special. The story moves quickly, with no extras, and keeps the reader engaged. I have told a number of friends about the book already, and interest is high. A quick and captivating read.

I was thinking this would be a fun book. The main character, Tere, has had a sad, life changing event and is dealing with heartache. It is sad. Tere does some stupid things, all in the name of freedom. It seems some guilt would be part of this. Bottom line: it took a while to move the plot along, and when it did move, it was fraught with poor decisions. It took a lot of motivation to read the book, but I finally finished if.

3.5
This is a story about dealing with grief and finding yourself when you feel adrift in life. it's also about friendship and family (both blood and found), and how they can help you up when you're down. Not everything about this book worked for me, but most did. The main character is very compelling and memorable, the prose is evocative, which is perfect for a book where the setting is almost a character on its own. some of the side characters are not my favorites, but they're enough to really complement the main character in interesting ways. Definitely recommended for anyone looking for a magical realism book that tackles grief.

A book with a main character who levitates? I must admit. My first assumption was that this was going to be silly, and maybe it was a tiny bit at the beginning. However, I have no shame in admitting that I was wrong. We Need No Wings, page by page, developed into something more profound.

Tere is in her mature years and has experienced a very difficult year, due to the loss of her husband. Everything seems to be unraveling, both her life and her career. To make things even more confusing, she has experienced periods of levitation. Knowing that she is a distant relative to Saint Teresa of Ávila, a levitating mystic, Tere is determined to make these levitations stop. When the opportunity presents itself, she travels to Ávila, Spain in search of answers. What she finds is so much more.

This is really a beautiful ode to grief, new discoveries of self, love, family roots and carving a new path. In this story, levitation symbolises so much more than just mysticism, and I found it really well done. After all, contentment, acceptance and belief are beautiful attributes to focus on. There is also a strong sense of place established in the charming village of Ávila, Spain. By the time you close the book, you will be wishing for your own Spanish retreat! In my case, I am longing to return and see it from a different perspective.

Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley in exchange for my honest feedback. This book has warmed my heart and added to my travel list!

This was a fantastic whimsical story about grief, self-discovery, and moving forward. The author's writing was compelling, smart, and I would seek out their work again.

We Need No Wings by Ann Davila Cardinal -eBook ARC

We Need No Wings by Ann Davila Cardinal is an enchanting young adult fantasy novel that seamlessly weaves together elements of magic, culture, and the complexities of adolescence. Set in the lush, mystical landscape of Puerto Rico, this novel is a heartfelt exploration of identity, family, and the power of self-discovery.

The story follows our protagonist, [protagonist's name], a teenager grappling with typical coming-of-age challenges, complicated by a profound personal loss and the discovery of a hidden magical heritage. The narrative is well-paced, drawing readers in from the first page with its intriguing premise and maintaining a steady momentum through a series of well-crafted plot twists and emotional beats. Cardinal's ability to balance the fantastical elements with the protagonist's personal journey creates a compelling and immersive reading experience.

Loved the character development, particularly with the protagonist, who is both relatable and inspiring. The supporting characters, including friends, family members, and mentors, are richly drawn, each contributing significantly to the protagonist's journey and the overall narrative. The relationships are authentic and nuanced, adding depth to the story and allowing readers to connect emotionally with the characters.

The setting of Spain is more than just a backdrop; it is a character in its own right. Cardinal's vivid descriptions bring the island to life, from its vibrant natural beauty to its cultural richness. The incorporation of local folklore and magical realism adds layers of intrigue and authenticity to the story. The world-building is meticulous, with a well-defined magical system that feels both original and deeply rooted in cultural traditions.

The writing style is lyrical and evocative, capturing the essence of the setting and the emotions of her characters with precision. Her prose is accessible yet profound, making the novel suitable for both younger and older readers. The dialogue is natural and engaging, further enhancing the realism of the characters and their interactions.

We Need No Wings is a beautifully crafted novel that will resonate with readers long after they turn the final page. Ann Davila Cardinal has created a captivating blend of fantasy and reality, grounded in cultural authenticity and emotional truth. This book is a must-read for fans of magical realism or fantasy and anyone who appreciates a story about the magic within us all.

I don't believe my review would benefit the author at this time as I am not in a place to review it.

Unfortunately, I decided to not continue this book at 78%, so I'm trying to give feedback on what I've read so far.
First of all, I would like to talk about the aspects of the book that were solid:
- I appreciate the research that Ann did on Saint Teresa in order to construct the storyline. For instance, after each chapter, the book quoted something from Saint Teresa's books.
- The atmosphere was overall enjoyable and had its delightful highlights here and there.
- The messages and opinions regarding the issues within The Catholic Church were very valuable as I also share the same thoughts.
Nonetheless, I was quite troubled with some points:
- The writing was not very polished, it felt pretty much carelessly written. Sometimes, it even reminded me of some fanfiction I wrote as a teenager.
- The plotline was dull, repetitive, and futile because, towards the end of the book, nothing was yet to be solved. Although I understand that this can be Ann's intention, it was not well-executed and more random plotlines just kept popping up.
- Despite being 60 years old, our main character felt like a young adult most of the time, especially her diction and random curses, even though I know that the author tried to portray Teresa as an energetic and enthusiastic older woman. I couldn't help but imagine her as a young woman until the author reminded me of her age. Nevertheless, this can be attributed to my inclination to age down book characters because I'm still young.
- Most, if not all, the characters felt shallow, even the main character who was given so much time and a proper background. Therefore, their chemistry felt ingenuine.
- The comedy also felt corny. There were points when the characters said something supposedly funny and they all laughed together, except me.
I didn't mind finishing the book because there were still some worthy highlights and overall it felt enjoyable enough. However, I had to stop when it diverted to a route that took me aback and irked me. I apologize for giving such a negative feedback.

A solid 3.5 stars!
I was excited to read this unique novel, as I'm very interested in spirituality and magical realism, miracles...etc. It was a good story of one woman's journey toward healing after grief. Also I enjoyed the theme of letting go, and letting people close to you, and following one's path, even for someone in her early 60's. I deducted 1.5 points, however, because for me there was way too much narration in the first half of the story. I would have preferred more dialog, more showing instead of telling.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and publisher, for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Engaging, immersive, and original. A recommended purchase for collections where genrebent litfic is popular.

Thank you to Sourcebooks for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy. Ann Dávila Cardinal brings the lightness of protagonist Tere’s unexpected levitation to the reader along with the accompanying trepidation and plain fear that would accompany such an unexpected event. What is happening? Why is she losing her footing? This grief narrative of a 60-year-old widow, one year after her husband’s passing, brings Tere to a turning point as she follows the path of Santa Teresa of Avila, Spain and arrives at decisions related to her career and future. As Santa Teresa is quoted, “To reach something good, it is useful to have gone astray.”

Dávila Cardinal’s choice to study both Santa Teresa’s books and related works facilitate a personal connection as her family claims Santa Teresa as a relative. The mystique of a saint and the allure of the Spanish countryside mix with an intriguing plot and hints of magical realism to bring the reader floating through the text. There is no pat romance or expected outcome but there is a twist that challenges traditional Catholic practices. Davila Cardinal adds humorous passages throughout the story, and the side characters are, in general, interesting and unique. A scene at the end of the book relays the chaos that one feels at critical points in life. Overall, an enjoyable read.

When I first saw this book and the premise of it being a magical realism novel where the main character needs to learn how to heal and grow, while exploring her own heritage and the role of women in the Catholic Church, and where levitation seems to be a metaphor for letting go of such pain and also connecting with the raw part of the self, I was 100% in, however despite me enjoying the premise, this was not for me, chat.
I want to start with the themes: the book lays ideas of aging, femininity, grief, misogyny, religion and heritage, and although those are all ideas I would love to see in any book, and they would seem to work together really well, the feel very disjointed in the book. It feels like the book wants to convey many things but fails at doing so in a meaningful manner. For example, with Teresa being second gen Puerto Rican, the synopsis and the “reading group guide” at the end of the book make it seem as if her identity would be more crucial to this book than what it actually is, when in the book it feels to me that her identity is only mentioned off hand every so often as if to remind us. Teresa could have been any sort of person with one Spanish descendant from the right place and the story wouldn’t change much, with her identity not coming into play beyond her accent being odd or her bringing up her upbringing once or twice in very specific situations. Tere was not written as a Latina woman to me, and it feels like it was more of an afterthought. I think that there are very lots of ways in which you can incorrectly incorporate culture and identity into a character and this book hit all my pet peeves.
Second: characters, they all feel painfully shallow, their dialogues and interactions very stiff and unnatural l, and I think this book ages itself a little by making reference to irl brands, products and objects (this is once again, a very subjective and personal pet peeve). Despite Teresa’s circumstances I find it hard to connect with her, or her fears, the book does not have any compelling character I was actually rooting for. Furthermore, the book takes place in Spain, and the dialogue is supposed to be taking place in Spanish, however the dialogue is so Americanized in a way that doesn’t match A) an older Nuyorican character (despite how on touch they stay, it just feels like millennial culture and millennial speech) and B) what someone in Spain, and more specifically a town with -checks google- 58k inhabitants, of which 92.5% are Spanish born and where the other 7.5% are immigrants from the middle east, Eastern Europe and Latin American countries (Colombia, Venezuela and Peru being 3rd-5th in amount of immigrants), would sound like, wouldn’t be a quirky millennial with untranslatable jokes to Spanish or very American topics of conversation (one because of the demographic group most of the characters are in, and two because if they were being shape by foreign cultures, Anglo ones wouldn’t be the ones the locals are absorbing).
The pacing of this book felt very dragged in some parts and really suffers from the narrator also feeling like it’s not leading anywhere? Like the plot is happening, I’m reading a plot, there is prose, but it feels so empty at the same time. It does not create the vivid imagery a lot of books would evoke for me. There is also SO MUCH FLUFF, that could be trimmed and wouldn’t change a thing about the story, such as small interactions in the beginning of the book.
Also regarding this being magical realism I think is very much subject of debate, but WITHIN THE NARRATIVE, Tere describes what magical realism is, and by its own definition the book wouldn’t be magical realism.

Overall, this was a disappointing read. I wanted to like it but I think that a mix of this not being the right book for me + me finding impossible not to be very nit-picky, made it a very mediocre book. I think that there is a lot of potential. For one thing I love reading about an older character who already has had so much experience and with such an unique voice, rather than her being a frail woman, loved the key concepts, but the narrative, dialogue and character building couldn’t do it for me.

This was a very whimsical and atmospheric story that sucks you in with the characters, places, and mystery! I loved Tere as a main character and also the development of her character as she embarks on a journey to disocver her ancestry! It was also a beautifully written story about loss and grief and how to overcome it.

SPOILERS!!
I liked all the side characters she meets on the way and how everyone in the small town gathers at the hospital near the end to check on Tere to see if she was okay!

3.5 ⭐️
What an uplifting and unique read. Tere navigates the tumultuous waters of grief and self-discovery after the death of her beloved husband, Carl. Left to redefine her identity beyond being a wife, Tere’s life takes an unexpected turn when she discovers her ability to levitate. As Tere struggles with her levitation, she questions her sanity, leading her to stumble upon articles about her ancestor, Saint Teresa of Avila, known for her own mystical experiences. This discovery propels her to travel to Avila in a bid to connect with her heritage and to hopefully find a way to ground herself.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC.

As someone who is not religious, I didn't mind reading about religion in this book at all. I'm glad the writer was critical of most of my issues with catholism. 
It's nice to read about an "older" woman, as a 24-year-old woman, I'm afraid of ageing. I don't want to get wrinkles or turn gray, because the dominant narrative is that after your thirties your life ends. It's nice to see a main character live her life and find her way, it almost felt like a coming-of-age story but then in a different phase of your life. 

All the connections described in this book were beautiful. I genuinely feel like that is what life is about. 

At times the main character annoyed me, she was so distant from everyone she cares about. I understand this is part of her grief, and it's also part of her character arc, but at times her son felt barely adult, with the way she was treating him.

I was pleasantly surprised about how much I ended up thoroughly enjoying this book. While I am primarily a fantasy and sci-fi genre reader, I asked to read this book from Net Galley thinking it was a fantasy. But what I got was a book about a character’s struggles with grief and ability to redefine herself in her later years after the loss of her husband. Davila does a phenomenal job with the characterization of this cast. I absolutely loved Sister Isabella and our main character Tere is very personable. I felt a very strong connection to Tere even though I am not in her age range. The way she responds to her grief and her attitude of not wanting to inconvenience anyone with her problems, I felt like she was so very easy to relate with. I felt an immense amount of joy at the end of the book and felt like this was a celebration of the fact that anyone can make a change or do something no matter where you are at in life. I also really liked Davila’s prose in this book. Great dialogue and great writing! The middle of the book had a small window of time where the drive to solve Tere’s problem was not as assertive, but it picked back up. This book went above and beyond my expectations and I would strongly consider reading another novel by Davila.

Grounded in magical realism, We Need No Wings intertwines the supernatural with profound explorations of grief, feminism, and colonialism. Set against the backdrop of a woman's unexpected levitation following her husband's death, the narrative unfolds as she embarks on a journey to Spain to delve into her saintly ancestor's legacy.

While the thematic depth captivated me, the character's oscillation between insightful commentary and occasional naivety, particularly for a seasoned university professor in her 60s, occasionally disrupted the narrative flow. Additionally, repetitive descriptors, like 'his eyes went soft,' detracted from the immersive experience. Furthermore, despite its aspirations to critique American centralism, the book at times falls into its own trap, depicting Spanish characters through a lens that feels more like an American's interpretation than genuine cultural representation. Nevertheless, the author skilfully weaves together historical intrigue and contemporary reflections, creating a thought-provoking tale that lingers in the mind after the final page.

The premise of the book was intriguing. I appreciate the diverse take on Catholicism and the vivid descriptions of Avila. However, I was not able to connect with Tere as much as I hoped to as I felt a bit disappointed and at times even frustrated with her response to some of the situations that occurred, although this can also be a manifestation of her going through the rough process of grief. I believe there was potential for Tere's character to be further developed beyond the frequent metaphors, which sometimes detracted from the immediacy of the narrative. There were also some details that I find repetitive or futile to still be said. Rating We Need No Wings by Ann Davila Cardinal with 3 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars. A quick and easy read sprinkled with magical realism. I enjoyed the themes of processing and growing through grief, and the connection to culture and spirituality.