There's quite a lot I enjoyed about this first book in The Wing Cycle. For a start I love being introduced to new races and the winged sylphs who live in relative peace on an isolated island ticked the box. We learn some of their customs and how their society is structured, and I look forward to learning more about their history, how they came to be on the island etc.
I also enjoy a good underdog story, and our protagonist Ravenna most certainly provides this ingredient, being born with deformed wings and unable to take flight. Life is obviously made difficult for her, particularly by sniping peers, but she is taken under the wing (sorry, I had to) of a mentor who teaches her lore and the intriguing Dalketh which promises to be full of potential... However, Ravenna's world is turned upside down when she is captured and enslaved by cruel humans who presume her an angel. It's here where we start to see glimpses of her true character and of what the peaceful sylphs may be capable.
Add into this story a Machiavellian antagonist with a chip on his shoulder and an urge to seize the empire, an usurped queen, demonic possession, an unexpected love interest and promises of dragons, and there was quite a lot going on!
I look forward to seeing where the story goes from here, as it seems the sylphs harmonic way of life is about to be shattered.