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Black Feathers Falling: The Banned Series
Hidden away in the human world by her father to protect her, unaware of her origins or who she really is, Lily Adams, the Heir of Light, lives a rather plain life. But when her father is murdered, visions of the Land she is supposed to rule arise, plaguing her with sleep deprivation. After seven restless months, her little village is shaken up by an unearthly energy belonging to none other than Ares Blythe, a black-winged Alatain, who whisks her away from her mundane home to seek this land of her dreams and all the questions it poses.
He takes her on a journey to learn about the magic of the sun and the powers the People of Light hold. With a rebellion of black-winged outcasts who have her back and an army of Red Soldiers who hunt her down, she soon discovers that saving the Banned and honoring her father’s memory comes with doubt, fear, and distrust. Driven to understand the meaning behind her visions and learn about her heritage, Lily follows Ares down a dangerous path, shielded by seven Guards, into the Land of Light.
He takes her on a journey to learn about the magic of the sun and the powers the People of Light hold. With a rebellion of black-winged outcasts who have her back and an army of Red Soldiers who hunt her down, she soon discovers that saving the Banned and honoring her father’s memory comes with doubt, fear, and distrust. Driven to understand the meaning behind her visions and learn about her heritage, Lily follows Ares down a dangerous path, shielded by seven Guards, into the Land of Light.
- GenresFantasy
382 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2023
4 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 23, 2023
It’s like a 2.5/5 for me. I just didn’t love it. The characters were all over the place with their opinions and values. (Yes I’m looking at you Lily Miss I change my opinion on things I don’t understand every 2 pages) the plot didn’t plot, the world didn’t build and the characters didn’t develop. Really only stayed for the potential romance situation we had going on but honestly even that part was disappointing.
And when I thought oh this is where it gets good….. the book was over..
Overall I probably wouldn’t read it again or recommend it to anyone whose time I value, not sure whether or not I will pick up a sequel..
And when I thought oh this is where it gets good….. the book was over..
Overall I probably wouldn’t read it again or recommend it to anyone whose time I value, not sure whether or not I will pick up a sequel..
June 24, 2023
EXCUSE ME?? THE CLIFFHANGER? Leaving me on this sentence is criminal. I’m gonna need book 2 asap. Please and thank you.
Now that I’ve gotten this out of the way: I first have to thank the author who was kind enough to send me a copy although my request to get an ARC was very, very late. It was lovely of her and I’m very grateful.
In Black Feathers Falling, we follow Lily (who’s at first glance a regular teenager) as she finds out the truth about her lineage: she’s the « Crown Princess » of a mostly secret and magical land and has been hidden away in the human world for her safety. Now that her father, the King, has been murdered and that the kingdom has been overtaken by a cruel and abusive queen, Lily, Ares (her winged protector) and Clara (her seer friend) must go on a journey to reclaim her birthright and free the People of Light. But the journey is not without dangers and Lily soon discovers that not everything is as simple as it seems.
There you have it. Black Feathers Falling may start out as your typical fantasy but I actually found the author managed to make it original and authentic. The idea of the seven guards who protect the path leading to the Land of Light being based on the Seven Deadly Sins was rather interesting and that’s part of what got me the most. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that element in a fantasy journey before. We didn’t get to meet all seven of them in the first book but the constant and yet unpredictable threat of them randomly showing up kept me on my toes and always kept me guessing. The action comes rather quickly and I found the pace to be just right, not too slow, not too fast. It’s very easy to get lost in this book and I wasn’t bored once - which I always look for in books but very rarely get. So that was nice.
I also liked the narrative voice. The writing was simple but engaging and very fluid. It’s an easy read, and I think it could be a good choice for my fellow French friends who’d like to start reading in English.
I found all of the characters interesting and more complex than meets the eye. And that’s the case for both sides. As Lily comes to understand, she may not be able to trust anyone fully. There are always secrets, omissions or half-truths - if not straight up lies and manipulation. The author almost got me several times with that. From the beginning, I could tell that something was fishy. I didn’t necessarily distrust Ares or Clara or the black-winged outcasts but because of Aya’s appearances, I knew she hadn’t been told the whole truth. Kida definitely got me with what she pulled during her first meeting with Lily… but that very quickly went away as she showed her her true cruel and bloodthirsty persona. I wonder how much of everything she said was true, though. It was a good way to toy with both the main character’s and the readers’ minds and I cannot wait to find out the truth and see more of those characters. I loved the dynamics between them, be it Clara and Lily’s friendship, or Ares and Lily’s forbidden attraction - and I cannot wait to see how they bloom or wither. I mean, Kida’s revelations about Ares sure made me a little more hesitant about him or the idea of their relationship but it’s definitely intriguing. Lily’s character also definitely has room to grow on its own (running away was a terrible idea, for example) and I cannot wait for her to mature and become more powerful. I also wonder what’s going to be happening with Lily’s sibling, whoever she might be. If she’s even alive. I need answers! Definitely excited about book 2 being confirmed.
Now that I’ve gotten this out of the way: I first have to thank the author who was kind enough to send me a copy although my request to get an ARC was very, very late. It was lovely of her and I’m very grateful.
In Black Feathers Falling, we follow Lily (who’s at first glance a regular teenager) as she finds out the truth about her lineage: she’s the « Crown Princess » of a mostly secret and magical land and has been hidden away in the human world for her safety. Now that her father, the King, has been murdered and that the kingdom has been overtaken by a cruel and abusive queen, Lily, Ares (her winged protector) and Clara (her seer friend) must go on a journey to reclaim her birthright and free the People of Light. But the journey is not without dangers and Lily soon discovers that not everything is as simple as it seems.
There you have it. Black Feathers Falling may start out as your typical fantasy but I actually found the author managed to make it original and authentic. The idea of the seven guards who protect the path leading to the Land of Light being based on the Seven Deadly Sins was rather interesting and that’s part of what got me the most. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that element in a fantasy journey before. We didn’t get to meet all seven of them in the first book but the constant and yet unpredictable threat of them randomly showing up kept me on my toes and always kept me guessing. The action comes rather quickly and I found the pace to be just right, not too slow, not too fast. It’s very easy to get lost in this book and I wasn’t bored once - which I always look for in books but very rarely get. So that was nice.
I also liked the narrative voice. The writing was simple but engaging and very fluid. It’s an easy read, and I think it could be a good choice for my fellow French friends who’d like to start reading in English.
I found all of the characters interesting and more complex than meets the eye. And that’s the case for both sides. As Lily comes to understand, she may not be able to trust anyone fully. There are always secrets, omissions or half-truths - if not straight up lies and manipulation. The author almost got me several times with that. From the beginning, I could tell that something was fishy. I didn’t necessarily distrust Ares or Clara or the black-winged outcasts but because of Aya’s appearances, I knew she hadn’t been told the whole truth. Kida definitely got me with what she pulled during her first meeting with Lily… but that very quickly went away as she showed her her true cruel and bloodthirsty persona. I wonder how much of everything she said was true, though. It was a good way to toy with both the main character’s and the readers’ minds and I cannot wait to find out the truth and see more of those characters. I loved the dynamics between them, be it Clara and Lily’s friendship, or Ares and Lily’s forbidden attraction - and I cannot wait to see how they bloom or wither. I mean, Kida’s revelations about Ares sure made me a little more hesitant about him or the idea of their relationship but it’s definitely intriguing. Lily’s character also definitely has room to grow on its own (running away was a terrible idea, for example) and I cannot wait for her to mature and become more powerful. I also wonder what’s going to be happening with Lily’s sibling, whoever she might be. If she’s even alive. I need answers! Definitely excited about book 2 being confirmed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2023
I wish I could rate it better than 1 star because the blurb sounded interesting but the entire book reads as if it’s the rough first draft.
The characters change their behaviour pretty much with every scene, the majority of chapters feel like they have been written at various points or by various authors and put together, and everything is extremely underdeveloped in terms of worldbuilding.
In addition, a good touch of good old Catholicism and colonialism. The latter because the natives of the kingdom used to live side by side with the invading humans (they found the kingdom by accident but decided to stay because why not …) before they were forced into slavery. The MMC explains it as "their inner need to protect", which left such a sour taste in my mouth. Even if his people have the need, I’m pretty sure that it’s about the kingdom and not about the humans who became the ruling class. Concerning the Catholicism: aside from some weird ass tests and the angelic (not biblical accurate) like appearance of Ares' people, I’m pretty sure that the entire kingdom is some strange analogy of Heaven.
And if I have to read one more time "he crossed his arms over his chest", I will scream.
The characters change their behaviour pretty much with every scene, the majority of chapters feel like they have been written at various points or by various authors and put together, and everything is extremely underdeveloped in terms of worldbuilding.
In addition, a good touch of good old Catholicism and colonialism. The latter because the natives of the kingdom used to live side by side with the invading humans (they found the kingdom by accident but decided to stay because why not …) before they were forced into slavery. The MMC explains it as "their inner need to protect", which left such a sour taste in my mouth. Even if his people have the need, I’m pretty sure that it’s about the kingdom and not about the humans who became the ruling class. Concerning the Catholicism: aside from some weird ass tests and the angelic (not biblical accurate) like appearance of Ares' people, I’m pretty sure that the entire kingdom is some strange analogy of Heaven.
And if I have to read one more time "he crossed his arms over his chest", I will scream.
June 12, 2023
I’ve been following this writer for a good two years now on social media and was so excited when she finally published her book! I couldn’t wait to order and read it!
I LOVED IT! I had gotten in a bit of a reading slum and this book got me out of it because it read so easily, no big fancy words that made it hard to comprehend and weren’t relevant to telling the story - that doesn’t mean I found the writing too simple, I just rushed through it.
The book starts as a typical YA storyline (which I don’t mind) - girl discovers she’s not who she thought she was and goes on a journey - but THE JOURNEY?? I couldn’t wait to read what would happen next and can’t wait for the next book!!
I LOVED IT! I had gotten in a bit of a reading slum and this book got me out of it because it read so easily, no big fancy words that made it hard to comprehend and weren’t relevant to telling the story - that doesn’t mean I found the writing too simple, I just rushed through it.
The book starts as a typical YA storyline (which I don’t mind) - girl discovers she’s not who she thought she was and goes on a journey - but THE JOURNEY?? I couldn’t wait to read what would happen next and can’t wait for the next book!!
June 24, 2024
'Black Feathers Falling' was such a lovely fantasy! I must say it felt kinda nostalgic, in a sense. It made me think of those YA books in which the mousy girl finds her secret powers and goes on a mission to forge her own legacy. I loved it.
The book starts with Lily, who's a soft and somewhat shy girl who draws and works at a coffee shop. However, she's plagued by dark and haunting dreams, until she eventually meets Ares, a guardian (oh, yeah... we all know what that means). As Ares reveals who she really is, Lily must embark on a dangerous mission. At first, I thought the world was a bit basic and simple, as well as the magic system, but then as the story progressed I realized it's extremely interesting and draws on elements of our world, but brought in a new and original way.
There isn't any spice, but you can feel the tension between some characters and I feel like this will only deepen in the next book. I highly recommend this story, it was such a refreshing read and the world building wasn't too overly in depth, which I prefer when wanting to finish a book quickly.
The book starts with Lily, who's a soft and somewhat shy girl who draws and works at a coffee shop. However, she's plagued by dark and haunting dreams, until she eventually meets Ares, a guardian (oh, yeah... we all know what that means). As Ares reveals who she really is, Lily must embark on a dangerous mission. At first, I thought the world was a bit basic and simple, as well as the magic system, but then as the story progressed I realized it's extremely interesting and draws on elements of our world, but brought in a new and original way.
There isn't any spice, but you can feel the tension between some characters and I feel like this will only deepen in the next book. I highly recommend this story, it was such a refreshing read and the world building wasn't too overly in depth, which I prefer when wanting to finish a book quickly.
June 30, 2023
5/5⭐Wow. This book was something special alright. I was fortunate enough to be sent am arc of black feathers falling and it did not disappoint!The writing is fast-paced and easy to follow. The world building is phenomenal. The only way I can describe this fantasy is one that feels so familiar yet so unbelievably new and magical. The originality of her world shows true passion and skill for writing. The plot twists have had me reeling and I cannot wait to read the second book. Ellen Hermans has written a banger of a debut novel and I encourage all fantasy lovers, especially those who enjoyed red queen and king of scars, to read this book. Bravo! I am immensely attached to the characters and their story. Thank you Ellen for allowing me an entry into this world.
July 14, 2023
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy.
I really enjoyed reading this book, it was very easy to understand, the writing is fast-paced and that makes it more fun to read. It was also nice to get to know more characters. Throughout the story, you saw relationships and dynamics blossom open. I'm curious to see how this will evolve even more in the second book.
I loved the world-building, it was very unique.
And omg the plot twists, I really need book 2!!
So overall I think this was a good debut novel, congratulations to the author.
I really enjoyed reading this book, it was very easy to understand, the writing is fast-paced and that makes it more fun to read. It was also nice to get to know more characters. Throughout the story, you saw relationships and dynamics blossom open. I'm curious to see how this will evolve even more in the second book.
I loved the world-building, it was very unique.
And omg the plot twists, I really need book 2!!
So overall I think this was a good debut novel, congratulations to the author.
July 3, 2023
Thank you so much for the arc copy of this book!
This book was just what I needed. It was a good and Quick book, with lots of plottwists to keep it interesting.
I really loved the idea of how the guards worked, and the setting was also amazing.
The only point of critique I could find was that the main character had a bit too much not so intelligent moments. But I didn't mind that much.
Overall, I really liked the book and would certainly recommend it to everyone!
This book was just what I needed. It was a good and Quick book, with lots of plottwists to keep it interesting.
I really loved the idea of how the guards worked, and the setting was also amazing.
The only point of critique I could find was that the main character had a bit too much not so intelligent moments. But I didn't mind that much.
Overall, I really liked the book and would certainly recommend it to everyone!
December 30, 2025
This is a great debut novel for this author.
I really enjoyed reading this book, very fast-paced and a captivating story
I really enjoyed reading this book, very fast-paced and a captivating story
August 22, 2023
I appreciate that the book is very well written. I like how things connect to each other and how everything fits together in the end. As a reader I don’t problem with something being poorly described or not making sense to me.
Another thing that I think is a big positive about this book is that the book is written in relatively simple English. It is ideal for people whose main language is not English. (My main language is not English and I remember how difficult it was for me to read fantasy books in English.)
As for the story itself. I will not lie. It's amazing and I really love it. At first the story looks like any other fantasy book, but in the end you will be surprised. It is original, exciting, and above all, I have to appreciate that I can't think of another fantasy book that would have a similar plot. Reader has no problem imagining places, nature, characters, and sometimes it's hard to put the book down :)
Also, I really like the characters. The reader first gets to know them, but their personalities then develop further as the story progresses. Which, in my opinion, is great, because the reader not only follows the story, but also observes the development of personalities. I think that the characters still have room for character development, but I understand it’s first book. I also like that characters work as a trio. This is relatively uncommon in the fantasy world. We mostly follow the story of an individual or a couple but I think it's special and I (as as a reader) really like it :)
I consider this book to be original, interesting and I recommend reading it to anyone who is a lover of fantasy books!
Another thing that I think is a big positive about this book is that the book is written in relatively simple English. It is ideal for people whose main language is not English. (My main language is not English and I remember how difficult it was for me to read fantasy books in English.)
As for the story itself. I will not lie. It's amazing and I really love it. At first the story looks like any other fantasy book, but in the end you will be surprised. It is original, exciting, and above all, I have to appreciate that I can't think of another fantasy book that would have a similar plot. Reader has no problem imagining places, nature, characters, and sometimes it's hard to put the book down :)
Also, I really like the characters. The reader first gets to know them, but their personalities then develop further as the story progresses. Which, in my opinion, is great, because the reader not only follows the story, but also observes the development of personalities. I think that the characters still have room for character development, but I understand it’s first book. I also like that characters work as a trio. This is relatively uncommon in the fantasy world. We mostly follow the story of an individual or a couple but I think it's special and I (as as a reader) really like it :)
I consider this book to be original, interesting and I recommend reading it to anyone who is a lover of fantasy books!
October 9, 2024
I’ll start by saying that I was immediately hooked from the start!
I love it when YA books remind me of the stories I read in my teenage years, where the main character begins in the modern world and then embarks on an adventure. Personally, I would love to escape into a fantasy world as well, so I was instantly invested in the story and in Lily, the main character, and her life before her life-altering experience (which I won’t spoil!).
The writing is lovely and flows well, keeping me engaged throughout the story. The characters are well-developed, and while there is no spice (which I consider a bonus in YA books), there is just the right amount of banter and chemistry between them. At first, I was a little skeptical about Ares (the MMC and antagonist) because his entrance into the story was slightly shocking, but he definitely grew on me as the book progressed.
Lastly, I thought the story was incredibly unique. I, for one, haven’t read many books about winged angels aside from the Fallen series, and this one did not disappoint!
I definitely recommend reading it if you enjoy a true young adult story set in a unique and captivating world.
I love it when YA books remind me of the stories I read in my teenage years, where the main character begins in the modern world and then embarks on an adventure. Personally, I would love to escape into a fantasy world as well, so I was instantly invested in the story and in Lily, the main character, and her life before her life-altering experience (which I won’t spoil!).
The writing is lovely and flows well, keeping me engaged throughout the story. The characters are well-developed, and while there is no spice (which I consider a bonus in YA books), there is just the right amount of banter and chemistry between them. At first, I was a little skeptical about Ares (the MMC and antagonist) because his entrance into the story was slightly shocking, but he definitely grew on me as the book progressed.
Lastly, I thought the story was incredibly unique. I, for one, haven’t read many books about winged angels aside from the Fallen series, and this one did not disappoint!
I definitely recommend reading it if you enjoy a true young adult story set in a unique and captivating world.
August 22, 2023
Ik was niet zo vertrouwd met het fantasy genre en erg benieuwd naar wat het met me zou doen. De schitterende beschrijvingen van de personages en hun bijzondere wereld wekten al snel mijn nieuwsgierigheid én de drang om het boek in 1 ruk uit te lezen. Het verrassend plot vraagt absoluut naar een vervolg! Het boek is in vlot Engels geschreven. Ik heb er absoluut van genoten. Wetende dat dit het eerste boek is van de schrijfster, kan ik alleen maar en met heel veel respect zeggen: hoedje af 😊!
November 24, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. Looking forward for the next ones in this series 🥰
November 24, 2023
Good book, if i could give it 6 stars I would. Or maybe even 7 stars. Even 8 on a good day.
December 20, 2025
I need a minute to decide where to begin. It has been too long since I've read such a good book. Why is there no hype for this series? I'm glad I bought the second book already.
I missed writing reviews of truly deserving books. This is surely one. I cannot express how much I need to dive back into this world, but I will try.
The end gutted me. I am not lying when I say I nearly threw up. Kida's manipulation skills threw me off. I found myself believing her too. Thankfully Lilian was smart enough to not risk it and she ended up uncovering the truth. I am so sad she had to do what she did to Tate. I love him so much. He always said how losing his wings would be worse than death. And now that that happened to him, I hope there exists some type of spell or potion to grant them back. But I am also experienced enough in fantasy books to know that would be too good to be true.
I don't even know what else to say. There's too much and I can't wait to dive back in the story. I will be leaving you with quotes. Enjoy!
"Ares!" Lily screamed as the roof collapsed above them.
It took less than a second for the darkness to engulf them and while Lily had been certain she'd feel the crushing weight of stone come down on her, the pain never came. She had her arms over her head, crouched down and Clara held onto her for dear life. When she looked up she saw Ares hovering over them, eyes squeezed in focus, and wings strechted out to form a protective shield above them as the stone crashed onto his back.
"If a time would come where I'd need to take a hundred lashes to the back I want you to know that I would take every single one of them for you."
-Ares
I missed writing reviews of truly deserving books. This is surely one. I cannot express how much I need to dive back into this world, but I will try.
The end gutted me. I am not lying when I say I nearly threw up. Kida's manipulation skills threw me off. I found myself believing her too. Thankfully Lilian was smart enough to not risk it and she ended up uncovering the truth. I am so sad she had to do what she did to Tate. I love him so much. He always said how losing his wings would be worse than death. And now that that happened to him, I hope there exists some type of spell or potion to grant them back. But I am also experienced enough in fantasy books to know that would be too good to be true.
I don't even know what else to say. There's too much and I can't wait to dive back in the story. I will be leaving you with quotes. Enjoy!
"Ares!" Lily screamed as the roof collapsed above them.
It took less than a second for the darkness to engulf them and while Lily had been certain she'd feel the crushing weight of stone come down on her, the pain never came. She had her arms over her head, crouched down and Clara held onto her for dear life. When she looked up she saw Ares hovering over them, eyes squeezed in focus, and wings strechted out to form a protective shield above them as the stone crashed onto his back.
"If a time would come where I'd need to take a hundred lashes to the back I want you to know that I would take every single one of them for you."
-Ares
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2024
Amazing world building and believable characters with good chemistry and smooth dialogue. A really fun read with lots of imagination and creativity :)
BIG CLIFFHANGER! Can’t wait to start Book 2!
BIG CLIFFHANGER! Can’t wait to start Book 2!
December 14, 2023
I want sure what to expect of this book but it was really good! The characters were well developed and I enjoyed the story throughout. At parts it seemed a little slow but it quickly picked up again.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews