Alex London

*An NBC Today Show Book Club Pick!* *A Seventeen Magazine Best YA Book of 2018!* *A Kirkus Best YA Fantasy Book of the Year* *A We Need Diverse Books 2018 Must-Read* "Epic thrills, heart-punching romance, and a marvel of a hero" --Adam Silvera, New York Times-bestselling author of They Both Die at the End The people of Uztar have long looked to the sky with hope and wonder. Nothing in their world is more revered than the birds of prey and no one more honored than the falconers who call them to their fists. Brysen strives to be a great falconer—while his twin sister, Kylee, rejects her ancient gifts for the sport and wishes to be free of falconry. She’s nearly made it out, too, but a war is rolling toward their home in the Six Villages, and no bird or falconer will be safe. Together the twins must journey into the treacherous mountains to trap the Ghost Eagle, the greatest of the Uztari birds and a solitary killer. Brysen goes for the boy he loves and the glory he's long craved, and Kylee to atone for her past and to protect her brother's future. But both are hunted by those who seek one thing: power. In this first young-adult fantasy novel in a trilogy, Alex London launches a soaring saga about the memories that haunt us, the histories that hunt us, and the bonds of blood between us.

Black Wings Beating

this is mostly just bird puns and bird imagery and bird metaphors but if i were in mr london's place i would do the same.

laura

*I got this book for review from the publisher for my honest thoughts*

I wound up being really impressed with this read. I really loved the characters and the lbgtq storylines in the this book. I really the realtionships between the characters and the birds. It was such a fast pace read that had so many moments that i did not want to put this book down. This book did deal with many harder topics like abuse, animals violence and also self harm. It was read that I really enjoyed. The one things i wish was stronger was the world building but i am hopeful this will become clearer the more books i read in this series.

Nickie Mohler

This one was difficult to rate. I liked the story, but I did not like one of the main characters. Brysen is a whiny dumbass. I would have given this a higher rating if I liked him. His character took away from the story because of how irritating his decisions were. 
I switched back and forth between the audiobook and physical copy for this one. I also did not care for the male narrator. The female narrator was alright though. 
Overall, the story itself was interesting enough that I will read the next one. I just hope there's more Kylee and less Brysen. I really liked her character.

Paige Green

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher and netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Black Wings Beating

Author: Alex London

Book Series: Skybound Book 1

Rating: 3.5/5

Publication Date: October 9, 2018

Publisher: Farrer, Straus, and Giroux

Pages: 432

Recommended Age: 15+ (some violence and slight gore)

Synopsis: The people of Uztar have long looked to the sky with hope and wonder. Nothing in their world is more revered than the birds of prey and no one more honored than the falconers who call them to their fists.

Brysen strives to be a great falconer--while his twin sister, Kylee, rejects her ancient gifts for the sport and wishes to be free of falconry. She's nearly made it out, too, but a war is rolling toward their home in the Six Villages, and no bird or falconer will be safe.

Together the twins must journey into the treacherous mountains to trap the Ghost Eagle, the greatest of the Uztari birds and a solitary killer. Brysen goes for the boy he loves and the glory he's long craved, and Kylee to atone for her past and to protect her brother's future. But both are hunted by those who seek one thing: power.

Review: Holy cow I thought this was a great book! The book was intriguing and it had me hooked from beginning to end. The characters were well developed as was the world building. And the writing was well done!

However, I did think that the book was info heavy. It was a bit of an info dump in places and that made for the pacing to be slower than what I would have liked.

Verdict: a great read!

Black Wings Beating

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