Book Review: Wingbound
When you first start reading Wingbound by Heather Trim, it seems like your typical fantasy romance novel. A young boy named Ledger lives in a village that once a year is visited by the Sky People from Ellery. These winged humans come to fight against the villagers for the food the village desperately needs. Ledger meets Aleoutte, an Ellerian, when she is visiting the village at a very young age. Through the years he gives up everything to meet with her on that day and falls in love. He knows that his village would never accept it and he keeps their love a secret.
When she goes missing Ledger is joined by four of his friends on a ‘grand’ adventure to find the Sky People. However, the majority of the adventure isn’t grand at all (much to Ledger’s disappointment). The group is stuck on a small island that floats through the sky. The only time that they can get off the island is when passing through tall mountain ranges. They lack provisions, miss their families, and have only each other to talk to for a full year. The book delves deep into the psychological effects this kind of isolationism has on a person.
The characters float in and out of depression. Sometimes hope and excitement seem so close, but then disappear as suddenly as they float by. Even small changes that we would take for granted in our own lives, like finding meat for dinner, become reason for celebration. The character’s excitement is overwhelming at times. You want to celebrate with them! When changes do occur it’s an exciting change of pace. Whether they find a magical creature or are boarded by foreigners, the crisis is heightened. When nothing changes even the smallest changes can have devastating effects. And large changes with fear and danger are monumental.
It’s also hard to imagine five people less suited to be on an island together. Ledger’s cousin Angus and brother Tolliver have grown up as warriors against the sky people. Both seem to have no desire (at first) to make sure that these creatures are safe. Why would they when the Sky People attack their village and steal their food year after year? Kava, a sweet girl skilled in medicine and sociable, is destined to marry Tolliver. She joins the adventure to take care of him. The lack of people and day to day change nearly drive her mad. Hollis, Ledger’s friend zoned bestie has shown her love again and again to Ledger as they grew up together. Love brings her on board, but love is what is taking him away from her and their village.
Ledger feels angry that the others give up so much just because they didn’t think that he could take care of himself. He constantly feels the resentment radiating off them. His own guilt for tearing them apart from their lives and the anger of the others only seek to intensify the isolation of their floating state. His desire to find Aleoutte drives his emotions to soaring new highs at times, and drops him to a into horrible falls.
The landing at the end of the novel is a unique jolt that will make you care about the characters all the more. It is a change of pace full of excitement that will leave you begging to find out what happens next. Overall, Wingbound is a great psychological fantasy that will keep your toes just above the ground the entire way through. Check it out today.
Lean more about Heather Trim here.
