The problem I often find with short fantasy novels is that there’s just not enough time to develop a believable world. It combined real world issues and a fantasy setting and it was a great blend. Overall this was a strong and solid debut that provided a heroine I couldn't help but love. Sometimes things seemed to work out too nicely, like there were a lot of times Rue escapes captors and it just felt too easy almost. I did find there were a few conveniences that bugged me. The story was a unique mix of contemporary and fantasy, bouncing back and forth between the two worlds often. Given the synopsis I was expecting more gods directly in the story, but maybe that's to come in sequels. The story was a lot different than I was expecting. I just wish it had been a bit more clear.

Also what we were given of world building did create a really interesting setting for the story. A lot of important discussions were brought up. However I liked how racism and white supremacy were integrated into the story seamlessly. You're kind of thrust right into the story and I found the world building could be kind of confusing at times because of that.

She was determined and would do anything to protect her sister and I really appreciated that sisterly bond they had. This was a really strong and interesting debut! Rue was a great character to follow. 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. 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. And her sister, Tasha, is in danger of falling sway to the very forces that claimed their mother’s life. 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. Rue is the only half-god, half-human there, where leaders protect their magical powers at all costs and thrive on human suffering. 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. But when her mother is shot dead on her doorstep, life for her and her younger sister changes forever. “Make a way out of no way” is just the way of life for Rue. Perfect for fans of Angie Thomas, Tomi Adeyemi, and The Hunger Games, the entire first printing of this novel will be signed! In this riveting, keenly emotional debut fantasy, a Black teen from Houston has her world upended when she learns about her godly ancestry and must save both the human and god worlds. An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.

Wings of ebony by j elle