Published: 2021
Series: Wings of Ebony
Author: J. Elle
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Mythology, Magic, Contemporary, Science Fiction
Audience (Grade Levels): Grades 9-12
Number of Stars: 5-Stars
Goodreads Link: Wings of Ebony
Triggers: Racism, mild profanity, gun violence, death of a parent
Review By: Allison Comes
Publisher’s Summary
“Make a way out of no way” is just the way of life for Rue. But when her mother is shot dead on her doorstep, life for her and her younger sister changes forever. Rue’s taken from her neighborhood by the father she never knew, forced to leave her little sister behind, and whisked away to Ghizon—a hidden island of magic wielders.
Rue is the only half-god, half-human there, where leaders protect their magical powers at all costs and thrive on human suffering. Miserable and desperate to see her sister on the anniversary of their mother’s death, Rue breaks Ghizon’s sacred Do Not Leave Law and returns to 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.
Worse still, evidence mounts that the evil plaguing East Row is the same one that lurks in Ghizon—an evil that will stop at nothing until it has stolen everything from her and everyone she loves. Rue must embrace her true identity and wield the full magnitude of her ancestors’ power to save her neighborhood before the gods burn it to the ground.
Review
Wings of Ebony is the first book in a duology, but don’t worry, book two is already out! The book starts one year after Rue’s mother has been killed on their front porch. After her death, Rue’s absent father returns and takes her to his home in Ghizon, explaining that Rue is a half-god half human with magic in her blood. Rue has broken the law by leaving Ghizon to see her sister, Tasha. In order to save her life Rue pulls Tasha out of a car wreck. Saving Tasha breaks another rule of Ghizon, touching a non-magic wielder. All of Rue’s memories of Ghizon and the magic wielders that live there are transferred to Tasha when Rue touches her. Rue travels back to Ghizon, all the while trying to protect her sister’s identity as the one she revealed magic to. But something is amiss with the magic wielders, and Rue starts to question the leader of Ghizon and some problems back home.
I enjoyed this book, I love love and magic. It is a slam dunk for me. Give to kids who liked Hunger Games and Legendborn. The book has a wonderful message about strength when faced with adversity. Rue’s mother’s mantra of “You gotta make a way out of no way” is repeated through the book. Rue and Tasha often repeat to each other that “Moms raised a diamond.” This book is a celebration of grit and perseverance. 5 Reasons why you will be Riveted by the Author.
Classroom & Curricular Connections
- ELA / Themes of Resilience: This text serves as a strong mentor study for exploring character motivation and thematic development, particularly through motifs like Rue’s mother’s repeated phrase, “You gotta make a way out of no way.”
- Social Studies / Systemic Inequity: Highly applicable for analyzing societal issues, urban dynamics, and real-world parallels to systemic oppression, greed, and crime affecting marginalized neighborhoods.
- SEL (Social-Emotional Learning): Focuses beautifully on family loyalty, processing grief following the death of a parent, discovering inner grit, and holding onto hope during intense adversity.
Diversity & Representation
Wings of Ebony provides outstanding and necessary representation by centering on a powerful Black heroine who fiercely loves her community and handles systemic adversity with grit. It serves as a beautiful celebration of Black Girl Magic, prioritizing ancestral strength, sisterly bonds, and culturally grounded perseverance over traditional fantasy tropes.
Readalikes
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
- Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron
