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The Skybound Saga
by Alex London
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.
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.
"Starred Review. With political intrigue, epic battle sequences, jolts of romance, and strong female and queer characters, there's a lot to pique readers' interests here. But it's the unique world-building and beautifully complex sibling relationship that make this a must-read. Readers will be swept away in this book's talons." - Kirkus
"Black Wings Beating takes the fantasy genre to soaring new heights with its 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
"Enter the gritty culture of cutthroat falconry in Alexander London's Black Wings Beating and prepare to be riveted. This book has so much to recommend it that I don't know where to begin: clever writing, boisterous, endearing characters, and threats coming from every direction, be they dark wings in the sky or a band of nomadic zealots with a reputation for slaughter. You'll be caught up in the adventure from the first chapter. And did I mention the falcons? You'll fall in love with the falcons." - Kendare Blake, #1 New York Times Bestselling author of Three Dark Crowns
"A ferocious fantasy world coupled with two formidable protagonists, Black Wings Beating is a heart-pounding story that lures readers deep into the high-stakes tradition of falconry, and challenges them to examine what they'd be willing to do in order to protect those they love. Stunning and arresting; a must-read." - Dhonielle Clayton, author of The Belles and the Tiny Pretty Things series
This information about Black Wings Beating was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Alex London is the beloved author of the middle-grade series, Tides of War, Dog Tags, and The Wild Ones. His young-adult novel Proxy, was an ALA Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers and was included in their 2014 Best Fiction for Young Adults List, the Texas Lone Star Reading List, and the TAYSHAS Reading List selection, among many other state reading lists. He lives in Philadelphia.
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