#Blackwingsbeating

[thebookishaustin]

Book Review: Black Wings Beating

Photo from Macmillan Publishers website

Black Wings Beating

Author: Alex London

Release: September 25, 2018

Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux

Black Wings Beating by Alex London is an interesting piece of fantasy work with a world and cultures centered around birds of prey. There are cultures that revere birds and, thusly, train them and use rare birds to represent social status and wealth. There’s a religious counterculture that sees birds as demons that should never be tamed, begging falconers and trainers to repent, to give up their bird loving ways. There’s this interesting analysis of the relationships between earth, sky, human, and bird. It’s quite fascinating.

Now, enter our twin protagonists, Kylee and Brysen. Our journey is centered around these two as their differences come to light while they try to maintain their father's business. Kylee is an excellent falconer but doesn’t want to be while Brysen wants to be a falconer and works hard but never meets the expectations of others. Kylee wants to pay off debts and leave the business, but Brysen wants to prove his worth to the boy he loves and the people who doubt him. Kylee is logical and level-headed while Brysen is quick to anger and jumps headfirst into situations. It’s with these dichotomous individuals that London throws the reader into an adventure to capture the elusive, deadly ghost eagle which brings out more than the twins bargained for in the first place.

I think London did fabulous work building two protagonists that are incredibly different, yet rely on each other through a difficult past, present, and foreseeable future. Twins are this trope that can be played on in a variety of ways and London does this in one of those usual ways with the siblings, who once were close, are now distant with little understanding of each others’ current selves. And, by being so different, London is able to show great character development for both, in completely unique ways, as they notice societal expectations warring with internal personal development as they learn more about themselves and each other.

My only complaint is that this book is written like a book that knew it was going to be a trilogy. There’s a lot of set up, backstory, and character development but the adventure seemed secondary and quick; it’s as if the first book was in preparation for the rest of the series. I wanted more adventure, I think, than I perceived there might be but I imagine all this setup will lead to even more adventures as London delves into more societal and culture clashes as an impending war comes to the forefront.

I enjoyed this book, I really did, and I am definitely looking forward to the continuance of this series. I wish it had a bit more adventure, but I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest. With such great character development with all the bird lore and culture building, I’d give this book 3 out of 5 Awesome Austin Points. I’m ready to see more of the fantasy side in the upcoming books!

[booksofwonder]

Join us at 4pm today at 18th St for the launch of @alexander_london’s BLACK WINGS BEATING w/ @adamsilvera!! Party also includes an opportunity to donate a copy to LGBTQ writers in schools w/ @lambdaliterary 🦅📚🦅🎉🦅 • • • • • • #lgbt #queer #booklaunch #bookparty #alexlondon #blackwingsbeating #adamsilvera #lgbtqwis #bookstagram #instabook #igreads #igbooks #books #booknerd #booklover #booklove #booknerdigans #ireadya #yalit #yalovin #youngadult #indiebookstore (at Books Of Wonder) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoE21FKgXUY/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=eq3j272ivaht

[lilnightmusic]

“I’d rather live in a world where I get to love the moon than in one where I don’t, even if the moon won’t return the feeling.” ⚜️ When I found out that Black Wings Beating was inspired by H is For Hawk I needed it immediately. I enjoyed this book, though had a few issues with one of the characters. If you like predatory birds and interesting world building, I recommend this book whole heartedly. ⚜️ That’s Bond by @bobbibrown. It’s a plummy brown that is right on brand for my 90s sensibilities. This book is all about relationships: between family and found family, between birds and prey, between lovers and those who love you enough that they try and help you love yourself. ⚜️ #blackwingsbeating #alexlondon #skybound #bobbibrown #fiercereads https://www.instagram.com/p/BtRQXEtHSX6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1b8y08c3l8ocr

[raimskie]

TA-DAH! . Another book finished in less than four days, and I now know what to do to finish books this fast. . [FULL BOOK REVIEW on @raimskiereads and on my #BookTube with the same name.] . #RaimskieReads #BlackWingsBeating #AlexLondon #Kylee #Brysen #Dymian #BrysenDymian #Brymian https://www.instagram.com/p/CP0m1FAHVU-/?utm_medium=tumblr

[morrighanrose-blog]

🦄GIVEAWAY POST! . "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 Black Wings Beating by @alexander_london is the first young-adult fantasy novel in a trilogy, it launches a soaring saga about the memories that haunt us, the histories that hunt us, and the bonds of blood between us. If you would like to learn more about the book or purchase a copy click on the link in my bio! I have partnered with @FierceReads to giveaway one copy of Black Wings Beating. Check out the details below: GIVEAWAY Enter to win a copy of Black Wings Beating - follow me, @alexander_london @FierceReads and @storygramtours - tag a friend you think will be interested For EXTRA entry - visit @bookisglee account tomorow and repeat these steps RULES - Giveaway will end October 1st at midnight EST - US only - not affiliated with Instagram -must be 18 or have parents permission -must be a public account so I can verify entries #BlackWingsBeatingtour #BlackWingsBeating #AlexLondon #SkyboundSeries #YAfantasy #WeNeedDiverseBooks #LGBT #FierceReads #storygramtours https://www.instagram.com/p/BoKh6FcFUSW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1eic0urkd5427

[ireadergosumveritas]

This #stackingupsaturday is my #TBR for September! 📚 I rarely stick to my TBR, but I desperately want to read each and every one of these books. I’m very thankful for having all of these in my possession. Also, I’m in my last year of my masters program which means classes + internship + work = not much reading time 📚 Does anything keep you from your TBR? 📚 #huntingprincedracula #escapingfromhoudini #kerrimaniscalco #jimmypattersonbooks #thewickedking #hollyblack #littlebrownbooks #thenovl #TheDarkDescentOfElizabethFrankenstein #kierstenwhite #delacourtepress #getunderlined #givethedarkmylove #bethrevis #penguinteen #razorbill #blackwingsbeating #alexlondon #farrarstrausgiroux #fiercereads #sawkillgirls #clairelegrand #epicreads #booknerd #bookstagram #yareads #advancedreaderscopy #thankful https://www.instagram.com/p/BnMu1ikFiks/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=8xnokj5c1tj2

[bookishandawesome]

“A hawk wasn’t rational. No guilt, no memory, and no reasoning. It just felt, instantly and purely, everything it could feel, and it acted just as fast. People put too much faith in thinking when the heart’s commands deserved at least as much respect as the mind’s.” - Black Wings Beating, Alex London. ——— Yes, hi, hello! I’m halfway through @alexander_london’s upcoming BLACK WINGS BEATING and you guys! It feels like I’ve returned home. I’ve read and loved the Proxy duology a couple of years back, and Charlie’s latest doesn’t disappoint. Do not sleep on this one! ——— #BlackWingsBeating #AlexLondon #FarrarStrausGiroux #Macmillan #FierceReads #LGBTQIA #youngadult #coffee #booksandcoffee #book #bookworm #bookish #bibliophile #bookstagram #bookphotography #bookblogger #weneeddiversebooks #flatlay #iphonography #iphoneonly #takenoniphone #vsco #vscocam #vscophile

[adibkhorram]

BE JEALOUS OF ME #howtoberemycameron #redskiesfalling #blackwingsbeating #yabooks #authorsofinstagram — view on Instagram http://bit.ly/2W2r5n4

[jennblogsbooks]

I had such a blast last night at the book signing for @roshanichokshi @alexander_london and @clairelegrand These three authors are absolutely hilarious together. This was by far one of the funnest signings I’ve ever been too! . 🖊 . A HUGE thank you goes out to @booksparks for giving me the opportunity to attend the signing as their ambassador. You all seriously rock! . 🖊 . #prosebeforebros #booksparks #booksigning #roshanichokshi #alexlondon #clairelegrand #barnesandnoble #ilovebooksparks #bookshark #jennblogsbooks #bookpage #readersofinsta #flatlayforever #mybookfeatures #libraryofinstagram #bookfeaturepage #ilovebooks #booksbooksbooks #bookaesthetic #booktography #thebookstagram #booktoday #wintervibes #wintermood #thegildedwolves #sawkillgirls #blackwingsbeating #bookriot #goodreads @bookriot @goodreads (at Barnes & Noble) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs1bG-Hl2rX/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1tukae4238oui

[thebookishaustin]

It's a beautiful, rainy morning for reading this new book by @alexander_london ! #thebookishaustin #blackwingsbeating #currentlyreading #read #reading #alexlondon https://www.instagram.com/p/BppFql3nH90/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=t5pspgv3fo05

[booksofwonder]

We have SO MANY exciting upcoming events in the next few weeks! Check out our events page online for a full listing (link in bio). Scroll down for a sampling 🎉 • • • • 📚8/28 THAT’S NOT WHAT HAPPENED w/ Kody Keplinger 📚9/8 MIRAGE w/ Somaiya Daud & Tochi Onyebuchi 📚9/17 ESCAPING FROM HOUDINI w/ Kerri Maniscalco & Laura Sebastian 📚9/18 SOMEONE LIKE ME w/ Julissa Arce & Salvador Santana 📚9/20 UNBROKEN: 11 STORIES STARRING DISABLED TEENS w/ Grace Kendall, Dhonielle Clayton, Heidi Heilig, Kody Keplinger & Karuna Riazi 📚9/22 EXPLORER’S ACADEMY #1: THE NEBULA SECRET w/ Trudy Trueit & Zoltan Takacs 📚9/23 BLACK WINGS BEATING w/ Alex London & Adam Silvera 📚9/25 THE DARK DESCENT OF ELIZABETH FRANKENSTEIN w/ Kiersten White & Adam Silvera 📚9/30 MISFITS w/ Jen Calonita, Elizabeth Eulberg & Sarah Mlynowski • • • • • @kodykeplinger @somaiiiya @treize64 @kerrimaniscalco @lauraksebastian @julissaarce @gracekendallbooks @brownbookworm @heidi.heilig @alexander_london @adamsilvera @authorkierstenwhite @jencalonita @elizabetheulberg @sarahmlynowski #karunariazi #trudytrueit #thatsnotwhathappened #mirage #escapingfromhoudini #someonelikeme #unbroken #explorersacademy #nationalgeographic_ @natgeo #blackwingsbeating #thedarkdescentofelizabethfrankenstein #misfits #events #indiebookstore #bookstagram #bookstack #instabook #igreads #igbooks #ireadya #mglit #bibliophile #currentlyreading #bookbuzz (at Books Of Wonder)

[bookishandawesome]

It’s close to two weeks since #BookwormsUnitePH. How are you faring with your TBRs, friends? I just finished @alexander_london’s BLACK WINGS BEATING and it is SO good! It is so much more than I hoped for, and that says a lot, given how much I love the Proxy duology. It is EPIC and GRIPPING and EXCEEDINGLY ORIGINAL. It is QUEER in the most beautiful of ways. Don’t let this fly under your radars! 🦅🏳️‍🌈🖤 ——— What do you recommend I pick up next? ——— #FairyTaleFail #SoundsLikeSummer #RookieonLove #ThisisKindofanEpicLoveStory #SometimeAfterMidnight #BlackWingsBeating #TheSacrificeBox #TheBelles #TheHateUGive #youngadult #coffee #booksandcoffee #book #bookworm #bookish #bibliophile #bookstagram #bookphotography #bookblogger #weneeddiversebooks #iphonography #iphoneonly #takenoniphone #vsco #vscocam #vscophile