For readers eager for epic fantasy adventures and thrilling battles, this book explores themes of courage, loyalty, and finding your own strength amidst conflict.
A parent might reach for this book when their child loves thrilling fantasy adventures but also needs a story about finding your place when you feel like an outsider. War of the Wings is a high-stakes fantasy about Trinity, a girl born with mismatched wings in a world divided by a generations-long war between the elegant Fae and the fierce Gargoyles. Feeling like she belongs to neither side, Trinity uncovers a dark secret that could change everything. This book explores themes of courage, loyalty, and the struggle between good and evil, making it a great choice for readers aged 9 to 13 who are ready for complex characters and epic battles. It’s a powerful story for kids learning to embrace what makes them unique and find their own strength amidst conflict.
Moments of high tension and peril during chases and battles.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals with large-scale conflict, war, prejudice, and the death of secondary characters in battle. The approach is metaphorical, using fantasy races to explore themes of prejudice and 'the other'. Death is handled as a consequence of war, not in a graphic or personal way for the main character. The resolution is hopeful, suggesting a path toward peace and understanding is possible through cooperation and challenging old hatreds.
Ideal Reader
An avid 10-12-year-old fantasy reader who has graduated from series like 'Wings of Fire' or 'Warriors' and is looking for a more complex standalone with a strong female protagonist. Ideal for a child who feels caught between two worlds (e.g., divorced parents, multicultural background, different friend groups) and needs a story that validates the strength in being unique.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared for descriptions of fantasy battles and the concept of a long-standing war built on prejudice. While not graphic, the idea of an entire people being 'evil' is a central theme that is later deconstructed. No specific pages need previewing, but a post-reading conversation about why people go to war or judge others based on their group identity could be valuable. A parent overhears their child say something like, 'I don't fit in with my friends anymore,' or 'I feel like I have to choose between my mom's side and my dad's side.' The child is expressing feelings of being torn or not belonging.
Age Experience
A 9-year-old will be captivated by the epic battles, the cool wings, and the clear 'good vs. evil' (or what seems to be) narrative. A 13-year-old will pick up on the more nuanced themes of political manipulation, the moral grayness of war, and the protagonist's complex identity journey. Older readers will appreciate the deconstruction of prejudice more deeply.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many 'chosen one' fantasy narratives, the protagonist's power comes not from a magical gift but from her unique position as an 'outsider' to two warring factions. The book's strength lies in its exploration of identity and finding strength in being a bridge between two worlds, rather than just being the most powerful warrior.
Read plot summary
Trinity is a foundling raised in a neutral territory, ostracized for having one feathered Fae wing and one leathery Gargoyle wing. The two winged races are locked in a bitter war. When she discovers a plot by a shadowy third faction to escalate the conflict and destroy both sides, Trinity must team up with unlikely allies from both the Fae and Gargoyle clans. She grapples with her dual heritage and must choose where her loyalties lie to stop the impending genocide and uncover the truth about her own origins.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Trinity feels like she doesn't belong to either the Fae or the Gargoyles because of her mismatched wings. Have you ever felt caught between two different groups or ideas? How did Trinity turn her difference into a strength?
2
At the beginning of the story, both the Fae and the Gargoyles believe the other side is completely evil. How does Trinity's perspective change this view? Do you think it's ever that simple in a real conflict?
3
Trinity has to trust characters from both sides, like the Fae healer and the Gargoyle warrior. Which alliance surprised you the most, and why was it important for them to work together?
4
The villain's plan was to make the Fae and Gargoyles destroy each other. Why do you think it's so easy to make people who are different fear and hate one another?
