Well written book about a disfigured boy who ends up a spectacle in a traveling show. There is a bit of mystery, tragedy, love story and societal exploration in this book set in the 1930s. Characters are well developed and given the settings, very believable. Not necessarily the kind of book I would normally choose, but thank you to Netgalley for the copy and for encouraging me to read outside my comfort zone. Definitely a worthwhile read.

I absolutely loved this! If you liked the original seasons of American Horror stories YOU WILL LOVE THIS! A freak show treated like a profit center, but needing to be treated like a human.

The world-building, character creations, and choice of dialogue transports you back to the time in which the book takes place. The dialogue is fairly blunt and to-the-point, but it is not in a bad sense. You really feel like you are right there with the characters with the way they speak. The main character is reminiscent of Eric from Phantom of the Opera, in my opinion which is very nostalgic to me. I enjoyed this book but it should be warned that there are a few triggers for some out there who do not want to hear about the topics that were common during the setting of the book which still are issues in our modern time (abuse, racism, misogyny, etc).

This was a strong historical fiction novel and enjoyed the element going on through this book. It had that feel that I was looking for and enjoyed the concept. Mark Mustian has a strong writing style and worked with what I was looking for. I enjoyed the idea of this book and how the characters were used in this.

Overall the story was touching and the characters interesting. But I could not get into the way the writing was so choppy and more like spoken poetry performance. My brain just doesn’t follow it well so I wasn’t able to finish the whole novel. I’m sure it’s a great overall story but I am not the right audience for this one.

Book Review: Boy with Wings

Boy with Wings instantly captivated me, and it wasn’t just the intriguing premise that hooked me—it was the emotional depth and vulnerability of the story. The protagonist, Johnny, is a man with wings, carrying the weight of his grief and identity in ways that felt eerily familiar to my own life. I lost my mom when I was very young, and like Johnny, I’ve struggled with finding my place in the world ever since. It’s not always easy, but with the support of others, I’ve managed to keep going, though there are still moments when I find myself grieving, sometimes randomly, and it all rushes back. This story resonated with me on a deep, personal level, and it made me reflect on my own journey of healing and loss.

The writing style in Boy with Wings is rich and introspective, pulling you into Johnny’s world and making you feel every ounce of his inner turmoil. The metaphor of his wings—both a literal physical feature and a symbol of the burden of grief—was powerful and poignant. Johnny’s attempts to hide and shield them from the world reflect his struggle to keep his pain hidden, to keep up appearances while quietly carrying the weight of his emotions. This sense of duality—of having something so intimate and burdensome that must be concealed—struck a chord with me. Like Johnny, there are moments when I wish I could hide my grief from the world, but it’s always there, weighing me down.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its emotional authenticity. The relationships Johnny has with others, like his brief but telling exchange with Stan Waldrop, are moments of quiet truth that reveal Johnny’s character in ways that are subtle yet meaningful. The reunion with Winifred at the end of the novel was especially powerful. The scene was heartbreaking, and the way the author explored their shared history, the guilt, and the survival after trauma was incredibly moving. It left me thinking about the people I’ve lost, the scars that never fully heal, and the complexity of those who remain.

That said, there were a few things I felt could have been improved. Some secondary characters, such as those Johnny helps through his work, felt a little underdeveloped. Their brief appearances added to the story, but I would have liked to see more of their own struggles and how they mirrored Johnny’s journey. There were also moments in the pacing where I felt the story lingered too long in Johnny’s introspection, which, while powerful, sometimes slowed the plot down. A more balanced approach between reflection and action would have enhanced the overall flow.

Despite these minor critiques, Boy with Wings is a deeply moving exploration of grief, survival, and the complexities of identity. It’s a book that lingers long after you finish reading, and one I would recommend to anyone who has ever struggled with loss, whether through personal experience or a more abstract understanding. It’s a beautifully written, emotional journey, and I truly believe it will resonate with anyone who has faced hardship and found ways to keep moving forward.

What a heartwarming tale. I really enjoyed this. Some sad moments, but also full of hope. I highly recommend to readers who enjoy magical reads.

This was a very good book! It was a touching and moving book. It was very well-written and it evoked emotion out of me. I like the characters and their development. I think it is a good story and I would recommend this to people, and i think it would make a great book for a book club to discuss!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!