WOODS AND WINGS
By M.W. Devers
YA / Fantasy / Action & Adventure
Publisher: Midnight6 Publishing
Pages: 430
Publication Date: November 19, 2024
***SYNOPSIS***
She never sought the path of a hero. Destiny had other plans.
In the peaceful village of Rhigov, where traditions hold sway, fifteen-year-old Astraya Myna dreams of little more than escaping the confines of her kitchen duties. But when a malevolent force known as Vronti shatters the village’s tranquility, Astraya is thrust into a journey she never imagined.
Guided by a legacy she barely understands, Astraya joins forces with her brother, Raustra, and a small band of allies. Together, they embark on a dangerous quest to protect their home from wingroans, dragon-like creatures whose powers are as formidable as their intentions are mysterious.
As shadows of betrayal and hidden truths close in, Astraya navigates a world where loyalty is tested and power proves both elusive and dangerous. With each step she uncovers more about her family’s past and her own untapped strength, until she must decide: how far will she go to save her people and what is she willing to sacrifice to discover the truth about herself?
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***ABOUT THE AUTHOR***
M.W. Devers has been crafting stories since childhood, drawing from a lifelong love of reading that began at age three. The idea for Woods & Wings took root during a family vacation to a theme park, and he’s been dedicated to bringing it to life ever since, beginning in 2022. This is his first published work of fiction.
MWD enjoys the quiet magic of early mornings spent world-building and shaping characters, all from his home in New Braunfels, Texas, where he lives with his family.
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Giveaway! Three winners will receive autographed copies of the book. Woods and Wings by M.W. Devers. Presented by Lone Star Book Blog Tours. Ends 2-13-2025. U.S. Only
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***REVIEW***
Even though I’m not a huge fan of fantasy novels, I was totally captivated by this story.
The characters are so engaging, especially, of course, Astraya, but as I read more and more of the book, I also felt a great affinity with her mother, Elizabyth. Maybe because I can relate to her pain of widowhood, as well as a mother’s innate desire to protect her children. But the role she plays in the story is bigger than even that, and so well done. The unlikely friendship that develops between her and Fae is unpredictable, and it unfolds perfectly.
Then there’s the bond between Astraya and her brother, Raustra, which is also presented so realistically. He’s the kind of big brother that every young girl hopes for, caring, protective, and encouraging, most importantly never wanting to hold her back from her destiny. That’s a special kind of closeness that’s so wonderfully endearing.
All these characters reside in a fantasy world that is deftly crafted and easy to envision, making this a story that the reader can easily follow from the first page on. It’s told from multiple points of view, but I didn’t find that disruptive. There are clear changes, and the reader gets to stay in one character’s POV long enough to get a perspective that’s integral to the unfolding of the plot.
There’s plenty of drama and suspense in the action scenes, as well as the scenes where life and death hang in the balance. The suspense and tension that builds chapter by chapter kept me reading longer than I’d planned at mealtimes, but I don’t begrudge the author, or the story, the extra time. 🙂
Elements of magic and super powers are integral in the fantasy genre, and I truly enjoyed watching Astraya as she evolves from that kitchen helper uncertain of her ability to accomplish anything of worth or note, to the strong woman she becomes. She uses a special staff that had belonged to her grandfather and discovers the powerful connection between her body and the wood. It’s that connection that she needs to succeed in her goal of saving the city, and the question of “will she?” hangs there always as an tempting carrot to the reader.
The wingroans also have magical powers, and one of them, Vulmen, has been held captive for decades, her scales “harvested” once a year so the magic will help the city of Rhigov continue to prosper. The brother, Vronti, is not a captive, free to raid the countryside around Rhigov which he does on a regular basis. The wingroans are fascinating creatures, and I really appreciated the fact that Devers didn’t pause the pace of the narrative to give a lot of exposition as to what they are. The readers learns about them, and the “otherworld” of Rhigov, by being fully immersed in the story.
The only tiny quibble I had with the writing was that Warden Myk came across a bit too stereotypical as a greedy villain. His character is integral to how things play out, but he played his part rather stiffly and I found the character to be one-dimensional.
That aside, this is a novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. I rooted for Austrya and the others as they went on the quest to kill Vronti before he returned and destroyed their city. The descriptions made the land come alive, and the magic was all believable.
If you like a fantasy novel filled with wonderful characters and a great adventure, give Woods and Wings a try.
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