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A review by kerribookhoarder
Rebel Wing by Tracy Banghart
4.0
asd;lfkjas;
4.5 stars. I freaking loved this book. :D
Edit: The sequel to this is coming out in a month, just as an fyi!
Do you like Mulan? Do you like stories about women fighting against the expectations that society has for them, and proving that they can kick ass and take names with the best man out there? Do you like to read about strong, stubborn women who keep fighting even when it's hard? Do you like books about intrigue and war?
If you do, then this is a book you should check out.
Aris is a girl from a small village, looking forward to her Selection when it'll be decided what area of work she'll go into. She's in love with a boy named Calix, and she's sure that when they're both selected, they'll be Promised to each other and have the happily ever after that she's always dreamed of. Although their country is in conflict with another, that seems distant and she tries to ignore it.
Instead of her happy ending, though, Aris gets surprises and disappointment. Instead of being selected for the area that she wants, Aris is selected for something else - and worst of all, Calix is selected for Military, which means that he'll be sent away, with no guaranteed return time. It's everything she didn't want - and everything the man who offered her a job hidden in the Military had told her would happen.
Hard as the decision is for her, Aris knows that she can't stay in her little village. Driven by the need to be with Calix, she makes the choice to go and fight. If she can be near him, they can be promised and eventually come home together, and isn't that what she's always wanted?
It's not as simple as that, though, because to join the military in the first place, Aris has to undergo grueling training, pass physical tests and then, on top of that, disguise herself as a man. In her society women are viewed as vitally important and 'essential' they're forbidden to fight, their roles confined to the home or jobs that are 'safe', far away from any danger.
Away from the peaceful bubble of her village, though, Aris realises the truth - her country is involved in a war with a neighbouring country, and as a brilliant wingjet pilot, she's not going to be on the sidelines. She's sucked right into the heart it all, and on the way she learns about her society and most importantly, herself.
I won't lie, I loved this book for feminist reasons. How could I NOT when it has lines like this:
"Shouldn't women decide what they'll allow for their own bodies, not a government acting out an antiquated, unnecessary law?"
"I do this because I believe a woman should have the right to fight and die for her dominion, just like any man."
It's not just about feminism, though. It's about a person being restricted and confined to certain expectations by everyone - lover, family, society - and growing beyond those and realising that she's grown beyond those. As many times as Aris doubts what she's doing and thinks that she will fail, she keeps fighting. She's determined and stubborn and proud and that makes her story a joy to read. There's a touch of romance, too, and Aris' growth is closely tied with that, and I really liked her arc throughout the book.
All of this is set against a backdrop of deception and intrigue as we switch point of views between Aris and Galena, the leader of the country. She too is standing up against people who wish that she'd back down and go along with them, and ultimately their stories twine together and they are crucially important to each other.
I really hope this book gets more attention and buzz, because it deserves it.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
4.5 stars. I freaking loved this book. :D
Edit: The sequel to this is coming out in a month, just as an fyi!
Do you like Mulan? Do you like stories about women fighting against the expectations that society has for them, and proving that they can kick ass and take names with the best man out there? Do you like to read about strong, stubborn women who keep fighting even when it's hard? Do you like books about intrigue and war?
If you do, then this is a book you should check out.
Aris is a girl from a small village, looking forward to her Selection when it'll be decided what area of work she'll go into. She's in love with a boy named Calix, and she's sure that when they're both selected, they'll be Promised to each other and have the happily ever after that she's always dreamed of. Although their country is in conflict with another, that seems distant and she tries to ignore it.
Instead of her happy ending, though, Aris gets surprises and disappointment. Instead of being selected for the area that she wants, Aris is selected for something else - and worst of all, Calix is selected for Military, which means that he'll be sent away, with no guaranteed return time. It's everything she didn't want - and everything the man who offered her a job hidden in the Military had told her would happen.
Hard as the decision is for her, Aris knows that she can't stay in her little village. Driven by the need to be with Calix, she makes the choice to go and fight. If she can be near him, they can be promised and eventually come home together, and isn't that what she's always wanted?
It's not as simple as that, though, because to join the military in the first place, Aris has to undergo grueling training, pass physical tests and then, on top of that, disguise herself as a man. In her society women are viewed as vitally important and 'essential' they're forbidden to fight, their roles confined to the home or jobs that are 'safe', far away from any danger.
Away from the peaceful bubble of her village, though, Aris realises the truth - her country is involved in a war with a neighbouring country, and as a brilliant wingjet pilot, she's not going to be on the sidelines. She's sucked right into the heart it all, and on the way she learns about her society and most importantly, herself.
I won't lie, I loved this book for feminist reasons. How could I NOT when it has lines like this:
"Shouldn't women decide what they'll allow for their own bodies, not a government acting out an antiquated, unnecessary law?"
"I do this because I believe a woman should have the right to fight and die for her dominion, just like any man."
It's not just about feminism, though. It's about a person being restricted and confined to certain expectations by everyone - lover, family, society - and growing beyond those and realising that she's grown beyond those. As many times as Aris doubts what she's doing and thinks that she will fail, she keeps fighting. She's determined and stubborn and proud and that makes her story a joy to read. There's a touch of romance, too, and Aris' growth is closely tied with that, and I really liked her arc throughout the book.
All of this is set against a backdrop of deception and intrigue as we switch point of views between Aris and Galena, the leader of the country. She too is standing up against people who wish that she'd back down and go along with them, and ultimately their stories twine together and they are crucially important to each other.
I really hope this book gets more attention and buzz, because it deserves it.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in return for an honest review.