Title: His Black Wings
Author: Astrid Yrigollen
Date Published: November 20th, 2012
I have finished reading this book last week and I couldn’t stop gushing over it. Let’s start with the beginning.
The cover for His Black Wings is appealing to me. At first, I thought it was a Japanese-inspired novel because of the cover art – it looks like a manga. Then when I started leafing through the book, I have read the About Me page of the author and found that she likes Japanese mangas and anime. Figures. 
The first few pages were dull, but the story grew right before I started to get bored. It started with the narration of the heroine about her state, which was confusing in a way. In the beginning, I thought it wasn’t a good style to confuse the readers with the descriptions of the current situation the heroine was in, but I realized that it was effective in trying to get attention. I was like, “What? Why? I don’t understand.” It made me curious and a bit frustrated with the slow pace in the beginning, but it also glued me into reading it. That’s something I commend the author for.
The story progressed, and I was growing to like the heroine. She was portrayed as a typical girl my age and I sometimes see myself in her. They say that when a writer made the reader nods in agreement in the depiction of a character’s life, it means that there is reality in her work. This is what I saw in His Black Wings. The personality of Claren is believable and I admire the author that she was able to create such strong woman character despite the setting in Victorian England.
The conflicts given in the first part of the story were understandable to shape Claren’s personality. They were also smartly linked with other’s experiences and the twist in the story was predictable yet interesting. The author carefully planned the creation of her novel and I felt a key was inserted into a lock and everything clicked in place at the end of the story. All the conflicts and experiences were included in a web beautifully weaved enabling the characters to meet and interact.
Speaking of characters, of course this novel won’t be titled as it is without Etrigan Lowood, the hero of this story. At first, I thought he looked something sinister based on the early descriptions, but when Claren finally met him, I realized that this YA novel has a tinge of romance as well. Their story was common except for the disfigurement of Etrigan, but everything else isn’t new. However, I am a hopeless romantic and a sucker for quiet, mysterious man so I fell in love with their story.
It is only a light read that I have finished after pouring over it for five hours. And what can I say? First: It is like another story of Beauty and the Beast. Though I can’t really see Etrigan as a beast, I hope you get what I mean. Second: There’s an element of something similar with The Secret Garden in this novel. I always smile whenever I remember Collin in Etrigan’s character, and Mary in Claren. So with those two comments, shall I recommend this book to others? Yes. It is something that others can read to believe that love is still true for others and the acceptance of having an imperfect partner is vital in any relationship.
*I have received a copy of this book for review.
**This review is also posted in Goodreads.
Astrid Yrigollen is a native of the Bay area of California and currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area.
I have nominated your blog for The Very Inspiring Award! Thank you for making the world a more interesting place. More details here: http://Johnwhowell.com/2012/12/17/honored-is-as-honored-does/ Thank you also for inspiring me.
John
Thank you very much, John! this is very much appreciated. I will check your post shortly. I am glad to have inspired you!
Wow, you read a book in five hours. That is really impressive.
When you started describing the plot, I though it reminds me of The Secret Garden, which I only watched in a movie format when I was a kid. It made me smile when you mentioned it.
Yes. When I was in a good mood, I tend to finish books in less than 24 hours. Then I’ll pick another one right after it. This week I think I am in for a marathon. I don’t know exactly why. I have this sudden thirst for books all of a sudden.
I have read The Secret Garden though I haven’t watched the movie. Perhaps you can try to read the book, too. On another note, do you know a Korean drama titled Secret Garden? I like it!
Very nice review, Nica!
Thanks for the support, Naz!
I like the cover also as I am a lover of manga
I might get this book because you said is was similar to Beauty and the Beast! Awesome review 
Cheers on the manga! Does this mean you also like anime? I’m afraid I haven’t watched much for the past years and I missed it.
Please try to read this book. Anyone who loves a fairy tale will like it
Yes, I love anime but I prefer manga
I will get this book some time next month hopefully…
Great review! You have peaked my interest and I am going to check out this book!
Thank you! Please try. It is a modern fairy tale story
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