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The Wings Upon Her Back

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[STARRED REVIEW] “A triumphant debut novel.” ―Booklist [STARRED REVIEW] “An absolute must-read.” ―Kirkus [STARRED REVIEW] “Intricate and intriguing." ―Publishers Weekly [STARRED REVIEW] “Complex and haunting.” ―Library Journal In this gripping debut novel from acclaimed Nebula, Sturgeon, and Locus Award- winning author Samantha Mills, a disgraced soldier fights to make sense of her world and the gods who abandoned it. The Wings Upon Her Back is an action- packed, devastating exploration of the brutal costs of zealous loyalty. Zenya was a teenager when she ran away to join the mechanically-modified warrior sect. She was determined to earn mechanized wings and protect the people of Radezhda, the city she loved. Under the strict tutelage of a mercurial, charismatic leader, Vodaya, Zenya finally became Winged Zemolai. But after twenty-six years of service, Zemolai is disillusioned with her role as an enforcer in an increasingly fascist state. After one tragic act of mercy, she is brutally cast out and loses everything she worked for. As Zemolai struggles for her life, she must question her sect, their leader, and even the gods themselves. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tachyon Publications


Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 23, 2024


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Print length ‏ : ‎ 336 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1616964146


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 46


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.9 x 9 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #977,080 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #3,653 in Dark Fantasy #3,959 in Action & Adventure Fantasy (Books) #4,438 in Science Fiction Adventures


#3,653 in Dark Fantasy:


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • Excellent
Format: Paperback
This is a book that I will be thinking about for a long while. It wasn’t just the characters that drew me in, but the world, the themes that were explored, and its relevancy to our current time. Yes, it’s fantasy, yes, it’s set in a fictional world, but the political landscape is eerily reminiscent of certain situations (or potential situations) in the real world right now. It was a phenomenal and thought-provoking story. The story oscillates between Zemolai as an adult and Zenya as she was in her teenage years. Zemolai’s history as Zenya and the choices she made then play a pivotal role in who she became as an adult. I don’t often quote the books I review, but this one is so relevant to the storyline that I’m compelled to: “You are every person you have ever been, continual and simultaneous, an iterative being composed of a million decisions large and small.” Zemolai/Zenya is not a perfect character. No, she is deeply flawed, and doesn’t see it until her world begins to fall apart around her. But that’s what made her such an interesting character. The reader experiences her downfall, her determination to keep pushing forward (even when her reasons are misguided), and her eventual realization that maybe she was on the wrong path. But can she change? Can she fix what she destroyed? Can she learn from her mistakes? Her story is set in a world where the people are divided between five sects, each following their own god. As Zenya, she was born into the scholar god’s sect, but that was never where she wanted to be. Zenya wanted to fly. But to do so meant leaving her sect and joining another—if she could prove herself worthy, strong enough, smart enough. She wanted to join the mecha god’s sect of winged warriors. The mecha sect is where I felt the world started to overlap fantasy with science-fiction. They were known for incorporating body modifications, most notably those that would directly tie into their nerve endings and allow for the addition of wings. The Winged were the elite soldiers of their world, led by Vodaya, who at first seems to be little more than a stern mentor for Zenya. By the time she is Zemolai, Vodaya possesses all the hallmarks of a dictator. Since the story moves between Zenya (past) and Zemolai (present) with each chapter, I kept wondering what ultimately tipped Vodaya over the edge… It is revealed eventually, and with it comes some revelations that Zemolai wasn’t expecting. This turned out to be one of my favorite reads of the year. I highly recommend it. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2024 by A.J.
    • Spooky gods, mecha suits, and disillusionment
Format: Kindle
I really enjoyed this book and wish it was getting more buzz this year. The world of the story is very cool, and the intimate details about something as awesome as having wings were fascinating. Zenya is such a deeply flawed character learning to start over no matter the cost. This compassionate story about disillusionment, waking up to how you've been used and the harm you've done, and doing better is so timely. Highly recommend. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2024 by jlandrew
    • It didn't cook
Format: Kindle
This book had the ingredients in place to be an interesting story, but they didn't come together. The dual-narrative structure didn't work, to the detriment of the present-day storyline; I found it hard to buy into the world and the characters; the story felt thin, like it needed a higher page count to expand upon the core themes of emotional abuse and seeking a purpose. Also, an isolated city with five factions (including a neutral farming faction) made me think of Divergent, and I just couldn't get that out of my head. Anyone else? (Farming/Amity and Mecha/Dauntless fit nicely. The rest less so. Workers are devoted to service like Abnegation, but aren't leaders in any sense. Both Scholars and Engineers seek knowledge like Erudition, but Engineers are the ones who build weapons of war, so I lean towards Erudition for them.) ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2024 by L Dopa
    • I can’t stop thinking about this book!
Format: Paperback
The Wings Upon Her back is the story of Zemolai’s fight to begin her life again while the actions that led to her fall from grace now force her to question the events of her past. I really enjoyed this book! I think everyone can find a part of Zemolai’s story that they can relate to. Samantha Mills creates an epic world with Gods, winged warriors, and a volatile revolutionary movement. She uses this vivid world to take a poignant and intimate look at what happens when a person you idolize and emulate turns out to be a monster. How do you rebuild your sense of self when they have helped shape it for so long? I think this is a fantastic debut novel that will stick with readers long after they finish the book. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2024 by Shannara
    • Liked A Lot, Not Obsessed
Format: Kindle
Re-Readability: I really liked this, but I don't know that I would ever re-read it. Simply because I wasn't necessarily super gripped by the book. Characters: Zenya was a fascinating character with her brain’s absolutely stubborn ability to put blame anywhere but on the place that would implicate her and make her feel guilty. Blaming the scholar sect for DARING to question authority & oppression and “influencing” her brother to bravely fight against the mecha sect, instead of blaming the mecha sect for oppressing and slaughtering people who dare to question them. The effects of being brainwashed and manipulated and emotionally and mentally abused by a cult-like leader were so apparent. It's of course frustrating to see someone making those choices, but it was done in a way that really highlighted the abuse of it all and that worked for me. Plot: Some of the action of the plot didn't work for me and also some of the pacing. There were a few parts that dragged a bit for me. But I was fascinated with the world and potentially finding out more about the gods and with Zenya's internal struggles and personal journey, so I never felt like dnf-ing or anything. Themes: Mental and emotional abuse. Idolization of leaders. Religion -- differences in how individual interpret the same religion as well as how religion can be used by those in power to keep a population in control... and a general question of what any deity would be and how they would feel about us if they are indeed real. Power and control. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2024 by Jashana
    • Great debut novel!
Format: Kindle
The story and the world building was so unique. I love the concept of the 5 sleeping gods and all the machinations that you just know would arise given human nature. On top of that, this book was so well written. It seamlessly weaves together different timelines and builds tension with each chapter. I strongly recommend! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2024 by Kindle Customer

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