Wings of Ebony by J Elle

 

Welcome Back Booklovers! Is it just me or has January been a really intense month? So keeping with the spirit of January I  decided to read Wings of Ebony by J Elle. You've probably been seeing this book all of your timelines and for good reason. It packs a punch! 

This story follows Rue who is still dealing with the fallout of her mother's death and being ripped from the Houston home she grew up in to live with the father she never met on a magical island, Ghizon. In Ghizon she stands out as a brown skinned girl amongst the gray skinned population. Despite her father's heritage she just doesn't feel like one of them. Rue escapes Ghizon with the help of her friend Bri. Rue's intention was to leave a gift for her sister, Tasha but all hell seems to break loose after she must save her from an accident. Ghizon has a strict rule about interaction with humans. While The Chancellor and The General are ready to hunt down Rue and Tasha there's also dangerous people in the neighborhood after them. During the time Rue has been gone violence in East Row has gotten worse and the streets are practically a war zone being ruled by a dangerous gang. She must embrace her true identity and powers to save those she loves.

This is a fast paced and action packed story. There's racial violence that is going to be triggering for some but sadly is real life for some people. J Elle doesn't shy away from the brutal details and since this is contemporary it's not easy to disconnect from the message she's sending.

Teen readers will enjoy Rue as a reluctant but strong hero who talks straight and goes hard for her family. And I know there are teens who will be able to relate to her voice in a way they may not be able to relate to other mainstream stories. They'll also recognize other familiar character types. One of Rue's neighbor's Ms. Leola is like everyone's grandmother always opening up her home and offering someone a plate to eat. Rue also has a complicated relationship with the father who abandoned her and her mother.

I already saw reviewers of a certain color saying they were underwhelmed by the world building and couldn't connect with the characters. It wasn't for you! Of course you're not going to identify with a teenage girl from the hood as a privileged white woman from the suburbs.  J Elle does turn the mirror in the direction of white people when it comes to checking your privilege.  We've already established racism is wrong and everyone knows that. If a white reader does pick it up they will see how Rue makes Bri own her privilege and cuts her pity party of white tears short. This isn't the story of the gray/pale people of Ghizon so it doesn't go into a lot of detail about their customs. Instead it tells the story of a neighborhood often negatively stereotyped because of evil people running drugs and inciting violence. It's the story of a tight knit community who look out for each other because no one else will. It's the story of people who often have pieces of their culture appropriated and resources stolen from them.

My only detractors would be the foundation set for a love triangle. I know teens will be teens but I hate love triangles in books. And Tasha got on my nerves a few times being in the mix when they were fighting for the neighborhood. 

The magic system is interesting and there's much room for it to grow and expand as the series continues. Ghizon is still a world we the readers and Rue know so little about but there's definitely hints at what's to come.