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Wings of Redemption
Once I thought he was my new world, my refuge, my life, when he held me into his arms, gently lifted my chin and asked, ‘’Who did this to you? Who gave you all these bruises?"
I thought he would keep me safe from the world, from my parents, who tormented me since childhood.
Little did I know, that it was all a trap. A show. He never loved me. He never really cared for me. All he wanted me was for my powers. And I, like a fool, gave him my heart.”
Ariana, the 16-Year-old daughter of a wealthy merchant in Eldenhaven, has endured abuse from her family since childhood. This has eroded her self-confidence, self-trust, and belief in love and familial bonds. Yet, her life dramatically changes after one fateful night when her father expels her from their home, leaving her injured. This expulsion acts as a catalyst, leading her to discover a magical world called Eloria. Here, she begins to experience love with Thorne and starts to rebuild her trust. However, beneath her newfound joy hides a dark secret about Thorne and his world, which Ariana has yet to discover.
I thought he would keep me safe from the world, from my parents, who tormented me since childhood.
Little did I know, that it was all a trap. A show. He never loved me. He never really cared for me. All he wanted me was for my powers. And I, like a fool, gave him my heart.”
Ariana, the 16-Year-old daughter of a wealthy merchant in Eldenhaven, has endured abuse from her family since childhood. This has eroded her self-confidence, self-trust, and belief in love and familial bonds. Yet, her life dramatically changes after one fateful night when her father expels her from their home, leaving her injured. This expulsion acts as a catalyst, leading her to discover a magical world called Eloria. Here, she begins to experience love with Thorne and starts to rebuild her trust. However, beneath her newfound joy hides a dark secret about Thorne and his world, which Ariana has yet to discover.
326 pages, Hardcover
First published March 20, 2024
76 people are currently reading
1323 people want to read
About the author
Gemma A. Summers
8 books31 followersMeet Gemma A. Summers, a heart-warming soul with a story that's both inspiring and relatable. Gemma stepped into the world of medical practice, joining hands with her equally passionate husband, Apoorv Yadav, at their psychiatry clinic.
This journey wasn't just a professional choice; it was a legacy, a continuation of the path her doctor parents had dreamt for her. Since 2011, Gemma has been on this medical voyage, leading her to establish her own mental health wellness centre in 2020 alongside Apoorv.
But here's the twist—despite her achievements, Gemma found herself grappling with happiness. Behind her professional facade, she battled with depression, relying on antidepressants to get through her days. It wasn't easy. She initially thought it was all in her head, that somehow she was the problem. But the truth dawned on her eventually—it wasn't her mind; it was her career. Psychiatry, for all its nobility and depth, just wasn't her calling.
The turning point came during a heart-to-heart with Apoorv, who asked her a simple yet profound question: "If not psychiatry, then what?" This question opened the floodgates to a sea of possibilities, but one passion stood out—writing. Gemma found solace in words, a stark contrast to the medical world she was part of. Writing wasn't just a hobby; it was her newfound purpose, her beacon of hope.
Today, we celebrate Gemma's courage and resilience as we dive into her first book. But let me tell you, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Gemma's mind is a treasure trove of stories, and this book is merely the beginning of an extraordinary series that's sure to captivate your heart. So, buckle up and get ready for a journey through Gemma's imagination. Trust me, this adventure is far from over!
This journey wasn't just a professional choice; it was a legacy, a continuation of the path her doctor parents had dreamt for her. Since 2011, Gemma has been on this medical voyage, leading her to establish her own mental health wellness centre in 2020 alongside Apoorv.
But here's the twist—despite her achievements, Gemma found herself grappling with happiness. Behind her professional facade, she battled with depression, relying on antidepressants to get through her days. It wasn't easy. She initially thought it was all in her head, that somehow she was the problem. But the truth dawned on her eventually—it wasn't her mind; it was her career. Psychiatry, for all its nobility and depth, just wasn't her calling.
The turning point came during a heart-to-heart with Apoorv, who asked her a simple yet profound question: "If not psychiatry, then what?" This question opened the floodgates to a sea of possibilities, but one passion stood out—writing. Gemma found solace in words, a stark contrast to the medical world she was part of. Writing wasn't just a hobby; it was her newfound purpose, her beacon of hope.
Today, we celebrate Gemma's courage and resilience as we dive into her first book. But let me tell you, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Gemma's mind is a treasure trove of stories, and this book is merely the beginning of an extraordinary series that's sure to captivate your heart. So, buckle up and get ready for a journey through Gemma's imagination. Trust me, this adventure is far from over!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
March 20, 2024
Beautifully written
I accepted to ARC read this wonderfully thought out debut novel. I've read many fantasy novels, but this book was beautifully written and detailed , and I felt I could perfectly imagine it in my head.
The FMC was timid and abused and turned into a strong-willed fighter in the end. I loved her banter and wit as she grew into a determined woman.
Any book with dragons has me hooked, and I feel she did well to not venture off the plot line.
Well done, Gemma.
I accepted to ARC read this wonderfully thought out debut novel. I've read many fantasy novels, but this book was beautifully written and detailed , and I felt I could perfectly imagine it in my head.
The FMC was timid and abused and turned into a strong-willed fighter in the end. I loved her banter and wit as she grew into a determined woman.
Any book with dragons has me hooked, and I feel she did well to not venture off the plot line.
Well done, Gemma.
March 10, 2024
I’ve had the honor of being an ARC reader for Gemma her debut novel 🩷 Again thank you so much for the trust.
Wings Of Redemption is about a human girl with a fucked up family who one day gets thrown out and finds herself opening up a portal to the fae world. Upon entering the fae world she finds love, betrayal and a found family awaiting her.
While reading, Gemma kept surprising me with the plot twists (ahem I’m watching you ;) ) I would have never seen coming. At most parts I had difficulty putting it away because I was so into the book and wanted to know how it would continue. It’s a part of a series so the book does end in a cliffhanger 🥲. After I’ve read it I immediately jumped to instagram to tell Gemma I need book 2 now because of said cliffhanger. I don’t wanna spoil too much 🫣😨
I do recommend putting the book on your TBR / Pre Order it. If you love ACOTAR & Fourth Wing, this is an mix of those books 🫶🏼🌌
Wings Of Redemption is about a human girl with a fucked up family who one day gets thrown out and finds herself opening up a portal to the fae world. Upon entering the fae world she finds love, betrayal and a found family awaiting her.
While reading, Gemma kept surprising me with the plot twists (ahem I’m watching you ;) ) I would have never seen coming. At most parts I had difficulty putting it away because I was so into the book and wanted to know how it would continue. It’s a part of a series so the book does end in a cliffhanger 🥲. After I’ve read it I immediately jumped to instagram to tell Gemma I need book 2 now because of said cliffhanger. I don’t wanna spoil too much 🫣😨
I do recommend putting the book on your TBR / Pre Order it. If you love ACOTAR & Fourth Wing, this is an mix of those books 🫶🏼🌌
June 26, 2024
The story is a wild mix of ACOTAR and Fourth Wing but sadly not in a good way…
Also the writing is very repetitive which makes it not fun to read.
!Also please read the Trigger Warning!
My Kindle automatically started with the first chapter, so I did not read the warning beforehand…
Also the writing is very repetitive which makes it not fun to read.
!Also please read the Trigger Warning!
My Kindle automatically started with the first chapter, so I did not read the warning beforehand…
November 20, 2024
3.5
First of al Gemma thank you so so much that i got this ARC read of your debut novel! When reading the thropes i got really excited and honestly did not disappoint!
We step into a world of Ariana who gets beaten up by parents every day for every little thing she does and gets by a portal in a magical world out of fairytales.
Honestly the character is very relatable and naive at first to finally getting the love and affection she had always wanted. I honestly could not blame her at all but i just saw the red flags already from the beginning and kept screaming no so badly😂
There are plots i didn't see coming and some i did but that made me love this book a lot and ughhh the dragons i love the dragons so damn much! Funny, motherly and sarcastic/serious kind of bonded dragons are the most fun dragons and it really added to the story on finding herself. I really can't wait for the next book! I was screaming so hard when he asked her who hurt you. I just had to stop reading and scream in my pillow you have no idea how much i love that especially after how he was when we first met him. Such a sucker for that honestly
However yes i know i gave it a 3.5 stars and that is because i really got overwhelmed with the amounts of detailing there was given in the world building. Yes i absolutely love details but sometimes it got a little too much. And the sister love, i didn't get it out of personal experience. It wasn't in my eyes realistic and maybe that is because i have experienced it different but you can not tell me there was not atleast some jealousy and hate towards the perfect sister who did everything right and had a great life wile the fmc got beaten up🙈
Yet i really enjoyed this book and i had a part of crying. the end still has me staring at the wall (im an emotional mess send help and i know there will be a second book in this series and i can't wait to be able to read that!
First of al Gemma thank you so so much that i got this ARC read of your debut novel! When reading the thropes i got really excited and honestly did not disappoint!
We step into a world of Ariana who gets beaten up by parents every day for every little thing she does and gets by a portal in a magical world out of fairytales.
Honestly the character is very relatable and naive at first to finally getting the love and affection she had always wanted. I honestly could not blame her at all but i just saw the red flags already from the beginning and kept screaming no so badly😂
There are plots i didn't see coming and some i did but that made me love this book a lot and ughhh the dragons i love the dragons so damn much! Funny, motherly and sarcastic/serious kind of bonded dragons are the most fun dragons and it really added to the story on finding herself. I really can't wait for the next book! I was screaming so hard when he asked her who hurt you. I just had to stop reading and scream in my pillow you have no idea how much i love that especially after how he was when we first met him. Such a sucker for that honestly
However yes i know i gave it a 3.5 stars and that is because i really got overwhelmed with the amounts of detailing there was given in the world building. Yes i absolutely love details but sometimes it got a little too much. And the sister love, i didn't get it out of personal experience. It wasn't in my eyes realistic and maybe that is because i have experienced it different but you can not tell me there was not atleast some jealousy and hate towards the perfect sister who did everything right and had a great life wile the fmc got beaten up🙈
Yet i really enjoyed this book and i had a part of crying. the end still has me staring at the wall (im an emotional mess send help and i know there will be a second book in this series and i can't wait to be able to read that!
April 23, 2024
This was a dnf for me, I really wanted to like it and I tried to push through.
I found the writing to be a bit hard to get into, there were a couple of spelling/grammar issues and some of the sentences didn’t really flow for me. (Like the cat had a name change and I think one of the places did as well) There was also a lot of words repeated which got a bit annoying after time.
The first few chapters were very tense and filled with a lot of abuse and for me I think it was a bit too heavy with the descriptions.
I feel like if this book was revised, with the spelling/grammar corrected and possibly less description, then I will give it another try.
I found the writing to be a bit hard to get into, there were a couple of spelling/grammar issues and some of the sentences didn’t really flow for me. (Like the cat had a name change and I think one of the places did as well) There was also a lot of words repeated which got a bit annoying after time.
The first few chapters were very tense and filled with a lot of abuse and for me I think it was a bit too heavy with the descriptions.
I feel like if this book was revised, with the spelling/grammar corrected and possibly less description, then I will give it another try.
July 17, 2024
I read this in kindle unlimited but I was convinced they published an unedited version or something, especially based on the other reviews here. Worst writing I have ever come across. I legitimately thought it was translated poorly since the grammar was abysmal and something didn’t connect. The only reason I gave this book another star was because the storyline had me hooked and I had to know what happened. I should have looked it up to see that it was a series as I can’t bring myself to read another, but the story was interesting.
I also now despise the adjectives,” otherworldly,” and “regal,” as I read it maybe every 4 pages in this book. BookTok did me dirty on this one.
I also now despise the adjectives,” otherworldly,” and “regal,” as I read it maybe every 4 pages in this book. BookTok did me dirty on this one.
March 17, 2024
Got sent this by Gemma as an ARC.
What to say, what to say..
I bloody loved it!
It's got such a strong journey throughout, I resonated with the MC, anyone who's ever been put down, abused, beaten, emotionally or physically in their life will understand the trauma that inflicts on the soul. That you carry it with you always.
Gemma has captured this so perfectly, and throughout the story the MC grows and becomes stronger, while not forgetting her past. Even though it still troubles her and plagues her throughout.
There is no spice here, it is simply just a beautiful vibe throughout, adventure, mild romance, villains, portals, Fae, elves, dragons!!
The setup for the story can be a little troubling if you aren't comfortable with graphic scenes of children being physically beaten. It was quite sad, but in a good way, because it truly made me understand what the characters life was like, and the necessity of escape she was able to make later on.
The little romances in the story were so good. Everyone knows developing trust after trauma is very difficult. So this made the romance very sweet. I loved watching them unfold. #karia <3
I adored all the characters, the world building, the plot, the plot twists. I just adored this story. I even went as far as emailing Gemma part way through to tell her so. She is lovely btw.
This is the first book of a series. I did not know this at the time, I found out at the end of the ARC. And damn, after that cliffhanger at the end, I CANNOT wait for book 2!
I will recommend. This book was captivating, interesting, sweet, mysterious and an absolute pleasure to read.
A totally deserved 5* from me. xo
What to say, what to say..
I bloody loved it!
It's got such a strong journey throughout, I resonated with the MC, anyone who's ever been put down, abused, beaten, emotionally or physically in their life will understand the trauma that inflicts on the soul. That you carry it with you always.
Gemma has captured this so perfectly, and throughout the story the MC grows and becomes stronger, while not forgetting her past. Even though it still troubles her and plagues her throughout.
There is no spice here, it is simply just a beautiful vibe throughout, adventure, mild romance, villains, portals, Fae, elves, dragons!!
The setup for the story can be a little troubling if you aren't comfortable with graphic scenes of children being physically beaten. It was quite sad, but in a good way, because it truly made me understand what the characters life was like, and the necessity of escape she was able to make later on.
The little romances in the story were so good. Everyone knows developing trust after trauma is very difficult. So this made the romance very sweet. I loved watching them unfold. #karia <3
I adored all the characters, the world building, the plot, the plot twists. I just adored this story. I even went as far as emailing Gemma part way through to tell her so. She is lovely btw.
This is the first book of a series. I did not know this at the time, I found out at the end of the ARC. And damn, after that cliffhanger at the end, I CANNOT wait for book 2!
I will recommend. This book was captivating, interesting, sweet, mysterious and an absolute pleasure to read.
A totally deserved 5* from me. xo
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2024
“Our pain, our trauma, can show up two different paths, Aria. It is always up to us which
I am so grateful for receiving this book to read as an Arc. Ariana is a young human who has endured abuse from her family since childhood (PREPARE YOURSELF TO CRY while reading..)She lacks self-confidence and self-trust when she arrives in a magical world called Eloriaand meets Thorne, High Lord of the Court of Shadows in Eloria. She’s so naive and immediately falls in love…but Thorne is not what she thought he was. While exploring the Ream she found herself more self-confident and she found new friends, and you'll looove those friends!! I loved how this book is written and the world-building is simply stunning! I would never have seen coming the plot twists...and the end!
I cannot wait for book2 and I do recommend putting the book on your TBR if you like ACOTAR and Fourth Wings (oh yes....there are DRAGONS here!!) and:
ACOTAR meeting Fourth Wings
Who did this to you
Abusive family
Scars on her body
Winged Lover
Bonded Dragons
ProphecyBetrail
FMC
“No one is using Aria as bait”
https://www.instagram.com/p/C4vvgfIi_...
I am so grateful for receiving this book to read as an Arc. Ariana is a young human who has endured abuse from her family since childhood (PREPARE YOURSELF TO CRY while reading..)She lacks self-confidence and self-trust when she arrives in a magical world called Eloriaand meets Thorne, High Lord of the Court of Shadows in Eloria. She’s so naive and immediately falls in love…but Thorne is not what she thought he was. While exploring the Ream she found herself more self-confident and she found new friends, and you'll looove those friends!! I loved how this book is written and the world-building is simply stunning! I would never have seen coming the plot twists...and the end!
I cannot wait for book2 and I do recommend putting the book on your TBR if you like ACOTAR and Fourth Wings (oh yes....there are DRAGONS here!!) and:
ACOTAR meeting Fourth Wings
Who did this to you
Abusive family
Scars on her body
Winged Lover
Bonded Dragons
ProphecyBetrail
FMC
“No one is using Aria as bait”
https://www.instagram.com/p/C4vvgfIi_...
March 20, 2024
⁂ 𝖘𝖕𝖔𝖎𝖑𝖊𝖗𝖘 𝖆𝖍𝖊𝖆𝖉 ⁂
♥ 𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝓇𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌 ♥
Since Goodreads doesn’t let me do 4.5 stars, I will just go with 5 stars!
This book was amazing. If you like the fae from ACOTAR, the dragons from Fourth Wing and the magic from the fantasy realms all over, this is the book for you.
As with typical first books in a fantasy series, this was mainly world building, and this has a lot of description, which is what leads me to the 4.5 star rating. It was slow at times, but world building is always necessary so I can still appreciate it.
But the ending, the CLIFF HANGER, wow. An action pack ending that has you wishing for more! I cannot wait to see what the second book brings!
✷𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜✷
there are child abuse scenes and mentions of it throughout the book
○𝐹𝒶𝓋𝑜𝓇𝒾𝓉𝑒 𝓆𝓊𝑜𝓉𝑒𝓈○
"You are not defined by what happened to you, Aria. You are defined by what you decide to do about it,"
I was not Ariana at this moment. I was not human at this moment. I was the whole universe, and the whole universe was I.
There were no scares. No injuries. No betrayals. I was the Luminara herself.
♥ 𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝓇𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌 ♥
Since Goodreads doesn’t let me do 4.5 stars, I will just go with 5 stars!
This book was amazing. If you like the fae from ACOTAR, the dragons from Fourth Wing and the magic from the fantasy realms all over, this is the book for you.
As with typical first books in a fantasy series, this was mainly world building, and this has a lot of description, which is what leads me to the 4.5 star rating. It was slow at times, but world building is always necessary so I can still appreciate it.
But the ending, the CLIFF HANGER, wow. An action pack ending that has you wishing for more! I cannot wait to see what the second book brings!
✷𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜✷
there are child abuse scenes and mentions of it throughout the book
○𝐹𝒶𝓋𝑜𝓇𝒾𝓉𝑒 𝓆𝓊𝑜𝓉𝑒𝓈○
"You are not defined by what happened to you, Aria. You are defined by what you decide to do about it,"
I was not Ariana at this moment. I was not human at this moment. I was the whole universe, and the whole universe was I.
There were no scares. No injuries. No betrayals. I was the Luminara herself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2024
As a debut Author Gemma has truly found her calling. After changing her career and finding her true destiny this book was everything! I was gripped instantly by the depth of the characters and the way the book flowed. Every intricate detail was described in perfection, you could really imagine being inside the book. All the senses were on alert as Gemma took you into another world, a world filled with fae, humans and dragons. I couldn’t put this book down, finding myself desperate to get back to the story to find out Ariana’s destiny. Thorne is not what he seems, I found myself rooting for Kael at every turn. This book will leave you breathless, devastated at the cruel human nature living inside this magical land. A truly gripping cliffhanger, that left me gasping. Pick this book up, you won’t regret it!
I cannot wait for book two, this is going to be a fantastic series. I was so lucky to receive an ARC of this book and wish Gemma all the very best in her chosen career.
I cannot wait for book two, this is going to be a fantastic series. I was so lucky to receive an ARC of this book and wish Gemma all the very best in her chosen career.
March 19, 2024
What a fantastic debut! I am also very grateful for receiving this to read as an Arc.
I feel that there isn’t much this book is missing! Fantasy, faeries, dragons, romance, suspense, humour, drama and excitement! It has it all!
I loved how the way it was written made me have an instant dislike to Kael but that soon changed and I was rooting for him!
I especially loved the dragons and actually chuckled out loud at some of their comments!
Aria was a wonderful character and I thoroughly felt as though I was on the journey with her.
There were some great twists in the plot that kept me guessing all the way through and what a cliffhanger to leave it on!
The epilogue had me a little confused so I cannot wait for the 2nd book to see what happens!
Definitely recommend this for those who love a good fantasy book!
I feel that there isn’t much this book is missing! Fantasy, faeries, dragons, romance, suspense, humour, drama and excitement! It has it all!
I loved how the way it was written made me have an instant dislike to Kael but that soon changed and I was rooting for him!
I especially loved the dragons and actually chuckled out loud at some of their comments!
Aria was a wonderful character and I thoroughly felt as though I was on the journey with her.
There were some great twists in the plot that kept me guessing all the way through and what a cliffhanger to leave it on!
The epilogue had me a little confused so I cannot wait for the 2nd book to see what happens!
Definitely recommend this for those who love a good fantasy book!
March 15, 2024
I loved this book!! 5⭐️🤌🏻🤌🏻
I am so excited for the next book to come! First of I loved our FMC we saw her being this weak scared girl and we saw her grow! Become stronger and more brave!
I love how her mental state was described, it felt real and it’s not something that just would go away in one moment.
She had to work on herself.
There’s no official MMC…but come on after reading the book you know who she should end up with! I hope we learn more them in the next book!
Also I just want to see what happens after that major plot twist of an ending!!
I am so excited for the next book to come! First of I loved our FMC we saw her being this weak scared girl and we saw her grow! Become stronger and more brave!
I love how her mental state was described, it felt real and it’s not something that just would go away in one moment.
She had to work on herself.
There’s no official MMC…but come on after reading the book you know who she should end up with! I hope we learn more them in the next book!
Also I just want to see what happens after that major plot twist of an ending!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2024
Ariana is tortured by her family and she has no idea why. When one day it becomes too much and she happens to stumble across a magical doorway to Eloria. The high lord Thorne helps Ariana and takes her on a quest to gain power but all is not as it seems. Kael and his close friends help Ariana to become who she is meant to be. Dragons, betrayal, love, pain and power all sum up this book. It was a really great read and the ending left me wanting more.
I would recommend this to anyone who loves fantasy romance. This book is really well written and goes into so much detail.
I would recommend this to anyone who loves fantasy romance. This book is really well written and goes into so much detail.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2024
Thank you to the author for proving me with an arc of this book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Absolutely f*cking phenomenal! Like ACOTAR remastered. Every chapter I finished I was sure it couldn’t get better but it always did. A+ job, Gemma, please keep them coming!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Absolutely f*cking phenomenal! Like ACOTAR remastered. Every chapter I finished I was sure it couldn’t get better but it always did. A+ job, Gemma, please keep them coming!
April 8, 2024
Not my cuppa, but lovers of epic & fae lore might like it.
I prefer action-adventure but occasionally read out of my genre, like this book. Epic is not my favourite, tbh. That’s why this is not my cup of tea, which doesn’t mean that I didn’t find fun things to like in this debut novel - I did.
What I really liked:
- there were fairytale elements of Beauty & the Beast in the story + elements of Eragon (and even Game of Thrones - hello dragons) + elements of Holly Black’s Cruel Prince (human girl popping to fae world & cruelty) + nods to ACOTAR (Court of Shadows & Court of Mirrors) + traditional elements of any epic fantasy = The One on a journey in a different realm with an arch enemy and some friends helping;
- the betrayals were beautifully done, sprinkled crumbs up front and all;
- loved the magical races - kiri and Luminora;
- adored the will-they-won’t-they with Kael and Ariana;
- the lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers angle was yummy;
- clean YA epic, even with specs of cruelty ( so not that sweet);
- this is short for an epic fantasy book, yay!
- the chapter art and formatting was amazing;
- the editing was super.
What I didn’t like:
- the pace was too slow for my taste - I tend to read to page 100 before I DNF a book and in this one things got very close to a DNF - the book got actioney only at page 91 (at 45% of the book);
- too much description - like in all epics (which is why I don’t like the genre), but if you love scene setting and beautiful wordplay, then you’ll like this book;
- the stilted dialogues in the scene setting with Thorne - if the author was aiming to portray artificiality of that relationship and to indicate that what seems is not what is - then beautifully done! Especially given the fact that the bit where Ariana ends up in the Court of Mirrors the story wakes up and has a different pace, which was brill from then on;
- I was sooo confused by the cliffhanger ending and have a hard time seeing how the series can continue, tbh, but if you love cliffhangers, then it’s a juicy one;
- totally didn’t like what happens to all the nice fae, but it might be the cruelty of the genre and it will jerk your emotional involvement chain.
Trigger warnings: the first 50 pages will be difficult to read for survivors of physical abuse.
Overall: it’s a likeable debut indie novel, if you’re a fan of high epic fantasy. So, if you love epic stories with a naive FMC protagonist who suffers terrible abuse at the beginning and world-hops to Faery only to realize everyone wants to use her for something, but manages to secure the friendship and/or feels of a few supporters along the way - you might want to give this a try.
I received an ARC from the author and am leaving me review freely.
I prefer action-adventure but occasionally read out of my genre, like this book. Epic is not my favourite, tbh. That’s why this is not my cup of tea, which doesn’t mean that I didn’t find fun things to like in this debut novel - I did.
What I really liked:
- there were fairytale elements of Beauty & the Beast in the story + elements of Eragon (and even Game of Thrones - hello dragons) + elements of Holly Black’s Cruel Prince (human girl popping to fae world & cruelty) + nods to ACOTAR (Court of Shadows & Court of Mirrors) + traditional elements of any epic fantasy = The One on a journey in a different realm with an arch enemy and some friends helping;
- the betrayals were beautifully done, sprinkled crumbs up front and all;
- loved the magical races - kiri and Luminora;
- adored the will-they-won’t-they with Kael and Ariana;
- the lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers angle was yummy;
- clean YA epic, even with specs of cruelty ( so not that sweet);
- this is short for an epic fantasy book, yay!
- the chapter art and formatting was amazing;
- the editing was super.
What I didn’t like:
- the pace was too slow for my taste - I tend to read to page 100 before I DNF a book and in this one things got very close to a DNF - the book got actioney only at page 91 (at 45% of the book);
- too much description - like in all epics (which is why I don’t like the genre), but if you love scene setting and beautiful wordplay, then you’ll like this book;
- the stilted dialogues in the scene setting with Thorne - if the author was aiming to portray artificiality of that relationship and to indicate that what seems is not what is - then beautifully done! Especially given the fact that the bit where Ariana ends up in the Court of Mirrors the story wakes up and has a different pace, which was brill from then on;
- I was sooo confused by the cliffhanger ending and have a hard time seeing how the series can continue, tbh, but if you love cliffhangers, then it’s a juicy one;
- totally didn’t like what happens to all the nice fae, but it might be the cruelty of the genre and it will jerk your emotional involvement chain.
Trigger warnings: the first 50 pages will be difficult to read for survivors of physical abuse.
Overall: it’s a likeable debut indie novel, if you’re a fan of high epic fantasy. So, if you love epic stories with a naive FMC protagonist who suffers terrible abuse at the beginning and world-hops to Faery only to realize everyone wants to use her for something, but manages to secure the friendship and/or feels of a few supporters along the way - you might want to give this a try.
I received an ARC from the author and am leaving me review freely.
March 29, 2024
Rating: 4/5
Characters:
Gemma A. Summers introduces readers to a compelling protagonist in Ariana, a 16-year-old girl who has endured years of abuse at the hands of her family. Ariana's journey from a broken and mistrustful girl to a resilient and empowered young woman is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. As she navigates the magical world of Eloria and discovers the possibility of love with Thorne, readers are drawn into her emotional turmoil and root for her to find healing and redemption. Thorne, with his mysterious past and hidden secrets, adds depth and intrigue to the story, while supporting characters like Ariana's family and the inhabitants of Eloria round out the cast with their own unique personalities and motivations.
Themes:
"Wings of Redemption" delves into themes of abuse, trauma, self-discovery, and the transformative power of love. Through Ariana's journey, the novel explores the devastating effects of abuse on one's sense of self-worth and identity, as well as the challenges of rebuilding trust and finding the courage to love again. The magical world of Eloria serves as both a refuge and a source of conflict for Ariana, highlighting the complexities of navigating relationships and confronting the darkness within oneself. Ultimately, the novel delivers a powerful message of resilience and hope, illustrating that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of redemption and healing.
Writing Style:
Summers' writing style is evocative and immersive, transporting readers to the enchanting world of Eloria with vivid descriptions and lush prose. The dialogue is natural and engaging, allowing readers to connect with the characters on a deeper level. The author's attention to detail brings the magical elements of the story to life, while her exploration of complex emotions and relationships adds depth and authenticity to the narrative. Overall, Summers' writing is both accessible and compelling, making "Wings of Redemption" a captivating read for fans of young adult fantasy and romance.
Conclusion:
"Wings of Redemption" is a spellbinding tale of love, resilience, and self-discovery that will resonate with readers of all ages. With its compelling characters, richly imagined world, and heartfelt themes, the novel offers an immersive reading experience that will leave a lasting impression. Gemma A. Summers has crafted a captivating story that is sure to enchant fans of fantasy and romance alike, and I eagerly await the next installment in this captivating series.
Characters:
Gemma A. Summers introduces readers to a compelling protagonist in Ariana, a 16-year-old girl who has endured years of abuse at the hands of her family. Ariana's journey from a broken and mistrustful girl to a resilient and empowered young woman is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. As she navigates the magical world of Eloria and discovers the possibility of love with Thorne, readers are drawn into her emotional turmoil and root for her to find healing and redemption. Thorne, with his mysterious past and hidden secrets, adds depth and intrigue to the story, while supporting characters like Ariana's family and the inhabitants of Eloria round out the cast with their own unique personalities and motivations.
Themes:
"Wings of Redemption" delves into themes of abuse, trauma, self-discovery, and the transformative power of love. Through Ariana's journey, the novel explores the devastating effects of abuse on one's sense of self-worth and identity, as well as the challenges of rebuilding trust and finding the courage to love again. The magical world of Eloria serves as both a refuge and a source of conflict for Ariana, highlighting the complexities of navigating relationships and confronting the darkness within oneself. Ultimately, the novel delivers a powerful message of resilience and hope, illustrating that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of redemption and healing.
Writing Style:
Summers' writing style is evocative and immersive, transporting readers to the enchanting world of Eloria with vivid descriptions and lush prose. The dialogue is natural and engaging, allowing readers to connect with the characters on a deeper level. The author's attention to detail brings the magical elements of the story to life, while her exploration of complex emotions and relationships adds depth and authenticity to the narrative. Overall, Summers' writing is both accessible and compelling, making "Wings of Redemption" a captivating read for fans of young adult fantasy and romance.
Conclusion:
"Wings of Redemption" is a spellbinding tale of love, resilience, and self-discovery that will resonate with readers of all ages. With its compelling characters, richly imagined world, and heartfelt themes, the novel offers an immersive reading experience that will leave a lasting impression. Gemma A. Summers has crafted a captivating story that is sure to enchant fans of fantasy and romance alike, and I eagerly await the next installment in this captivating series.
April 20, 2024
For the last few weeks, I have been frequently reading fiction, and they somehow fall into the pitfall of fantasy. On my journey to devour fiction books, I came across an enthralling title that was enough to drag me into its world. Today, I would like to talk about 'WINGS OF REDEMPTION: The Tale of Broken Hearts' by Gemma A. Summers.
Also, it has DRAGONS, so Yeah !!
The story of this book takes place in a magical land called Eldenhaven. It's a fantasy world with a bustling city and tall buildings. The main character is Ariana, a brave young woman who has faced hardship in her life, as the story moves forward she leaves her home, and that's when her life changes.
Ariana meets a mysterious person named Thorne, and together they travel to a magical place called Eloria. Eloria is beautiful, with dragons flying in the sky and forests full of secrets. The book describes this world in great detail, making you feel like you're there. Its worldbuilding is as magical as anything you have read.
As Ariana explores Eloria, she falls in love with Thorne. They learn more about themselves and each other during their adventures. But as you feel the romance in the air, the danger pops out Ariana discovers a big secret that could destroy everything. With the help of friends and her inner strength, Ariana must face this danger.
Now some of my favorite aspects of the book are-
- The World Building
- Dragons
- Characters
- Strong Protagonist
- The Love Story.
It's the first part of the ELORIAN SERIES, that sets your standards for the upcoming parts, and gives you an experience that is worth going through the words of Gemma.
By the end of the book "WINGS OF REDEMPTION" will introduce you to an elegant tale of LOVE, BRAVERY, RESILIENCE, and FINDING YOURSELF. It's a fun and heartwarming adventure that you won't forget!
Must Read !!! ❤️
Also, it has DRAGONS, so Yeah !!
The story of this book takes place in a magical land called Eldenhaven. It's a fantasy world with a bustling city and tall buildings. The main character is Ariana, a brave young woman who has faced hardship in her life, as the story moves forward she leaves her home, and that's when her life changes.
Ariana meets a mysterious person named Thorne, and together they travel to a magical place called Eloria. Eloria is beautiful, with dragons flying in the sky and forests full of secrets. The book describes this world in great detail, making you feel like you're there. Its worldbuilding is as magical as anything you have read.
As Ariana explores Eloria, she falls in love with Thorne. They learn more about themselves and each other during their adventures. But as you feel the romance in the air, the danger pops out Ariana discovers a big secret that could destroy everything. With the help of friends and her inner strength, Ariana must face this danger.
Now some of my favorite aspects of the book are-
- The World Building
- Dragons
- Characters
- Strong Protagonist
- The Love Story.
It's the first part of the ELORIAN SERIES, that sets your standards for the upcoming parts, and gives you an experience that is worth going through the words of Gemma.
By the end of the book "WINGS OF REDEMPTION" will introduce you to an elegant tale of LOVE, BRAVERY, RESILIENCE, and FINDING YOURSELF. It's a fun and heartwarming adventure that you won't forget!
Must Read !!! ❤️
April 13, 2024
I had the wonderful opportunity to be an ARC reader for this book, and I absolutely enjoyed it!
Wings of Redemption follows the first-person point of view of 16-year-old Ariana as she suddenly finds herself transported from her abusive family to the magical and mysterious world of Eloria. Closely following her personal story, the book provides her character development in great detail as she heals from being victim of very violent domestic abuse.
Surrounding the sweet and observant Ariana are a number of characters, such as three dragons that can communicate telepathically, a two-faced high lord, parents who shouldn’t be parents, and a group of diverse characters who all share a common goal of keeping Eloria safe from dark beings trying to dominate it. All of these characters live within a world that's just as beautifully diverse, with differing landscapes and creatures from dragons to winged fae people to individuals with animal-like characteristics and more!
While I loved reading this book and all the plot twists that came with it, there was one thing that really poked at me during my experience. While the writing and descriptions of characters and settings were stunning, there was also a lot of it. At times, I found myself zoning out a little bit while a room was being described in great detail, and I found myself wanting the story to move forward a number of times while reading. But if you like a lot of description, this book would most definitely be for you!
I also have a few trigger warnings. The depictions of domestic abuse are some of the most physically, mentally, and emotionally violent that I personally have ever read in a book. So, if that’s something that makes you very uncomfortable reading, you may want to be a bit wary.
Wings of Redemption follows the first-person point of view of 16-year-old Ariana as she suddenly finds herself transported from her abusive family to the magical and mysterious world of Eloria. Closely following her personal story, the book provides her character development in great detail as she heals from being victim of very violent domestic abuse.
Surrounding the sweet and observant Ariana are a number of characters, such as three dragons that can communicate telepathically, a two-faced high lord, parents who shouldn’t be parents, and a group of diverse characters who all share a common goal of keeping Eloria safe from dark beings trying to dominate it. All of these characters live within a world that's just as beautifully diverse, with differing landscapes and creatures from dragons to winged fae people to individuals with animal-like characteristics and more!
While I loved reading this book and all the plot twists that came with it, there was one thing that really poked at me during my experience. While the writing and descriptions of characters and settings were stunning, there was also a lot of it. At times, I found myself zoning out a little bit while a room was being described in great detail, and I found myself wanting the story to move forward a number of times while reading. But if you like a lot of description, this book would most definitely be for you!
I also have a few trigger warnings. The depictions of domestic abuse are some of the most physically, mentally, and emotionally violent that I personally have ever read in a book. So, if that’s something that makes you very uncomfortable reading, you may want to be a bit wary.
Read
March 21, 2024Happy Release Day! (03/20/24)
The author provided me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I'm choosing not to leave a star rating because I'm feeling a bit conflicted on how to rate this book.
Gemma writes beautifully. The descriptive text and scene setting paints a very vivid picture throughout. Although, at some points while reading, I thought that the descriptive quality took away from the storybuilding. The worldbuilding was interesting, and I appreciated the magical qualities of the world, but a lot of the information comes in large info dumps, whether through dialogue or excerpts from articles within the world itself, and it is a lot at once. I didn't feel particularly attached to our main character. Everything kind of happens to her, and she's just along for the ride. I also noticed a few inconsistencies or repetitions of phrases that I think could've been improved by editing. The story is fast and slow-paced at once. It seems the actual action happens very quickly - with long journeys in a matter of pages - but the scene setting and descriptions sometimes span the same length. The dragons are definitely awesome, and I did love their banter and connection to our MC.
Thank you again to the author for giving me a chance to read and review your book. I wish you success with this book and future endeavors.
The author provided me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I'm choosing not to leave a star rating because I'm feeling a bit conflicted on how to rate this book.
Gemma writes beautifully. The descriptive text and scene setting paints a very vivid picture throughout. Although, at some points while reading, I thought that the descriptive quality took away from the storybuilding. The worldbuilding was interesting, and I appreciated the magical qualities of the world, but a lot of the information comes in large info dumps, whether through dialogue or excerpts from articles within the world itself, and it is a lot at once. I didn't feel particularly attached to our main character. Everything kind of happens to her, and she's just along for the ride. I also noticed a few inconsistencies or repetitions of phrases that I think could've been improved by editing. The story is fast and slow-paced at once. It seems the actual action happens very quickly - with long journeys in a matter of pages - but the scene setting and descriptions sometimes span the same length. The dragons are definitely awesome, and I did love their banter and connection to our MC.
Thank you again to the author for giving me a chance to read and review your book. I wish you success with this book and future endeavors.
March 22, 2024
This is a spellbinding tale that transports readers into a world where fantasy and reality blur. Gemma has crafted a story that resonated with me, especially with Aria’s struggles with her family, something I know all too well. Suddenly, she’s in the fae world, and it’s as if I’ve been transported right alongside her. The tension between Aria and Kael, the winged boy, is palpable, and I’m already cheering for what seems to be an inevitable romance. They’re the kind of duo you can’t help but root for.
The magic in this book? Absolutely enthralling. I found myself wishing I could wield such powers in real life. Aria’s journey is riddled with deception, and the dragons—oh, the dragons! They’re the kind of magnificent creatures that would make Violet Sorrengail green with envy. Every trial Aria faces feels like a test I’m taking with her, and I couldn’t help but get emotionally invested.
Summers ends the book on a cliffhanger that left me a bit confused but mostly excited for what’s to come. It��s a complex tale that had me shouting “I knew it!” at more than one revelation. While some side characters remind me of those from ACOTAR, it only added to my enjoyment. I’m eagerly awaiting the next book to see how Aria’s story unfolds. It’s a must-read for any fantasy enthusiast looking for their next adventure.
The magic in this book? Absolutely enthralling. I found myself wishing I could wield such powers in real life. Aria’s journey is riddled with deception, and the dragons—oh, the dragons! They’re the kind of magnificent creatures that would make Violet Sorrengail green with envy. Every trial Aria faces feels like a test I’m taking with her, and I couldn’t help but get emotionally invested.
Summers ends the book on a cliffhanger that left me a bit confused but mostly excited for what’s to come. It��s a complex tale that had me shouting “I knew it!” at more than one revelation. While some side characters remind me of those from ACOTAR, it only added to my enjoyment. I’m eagerly awaiting the next book to see how Aria’s story unfolds. It’s a must-read for any fantasy enthusiast looking for their next adventure.
March 18, 2024
In Wings of Redemption by Gemma A. Summers Ariana finds herself in a magical Fae world.
From the first I loved and felt for Ariana, she is a timid girl with an abusive family. When she gets thrown out, she finds herself in a strange world, and gets stronger and fierce. I loved how the author portrayed her. The writing style is great and the worldbuilding, a world filled with fae, magic and dragons, is amazing. It is very detailed, which I loved. I could see in all before my eyes. There are surprises, plottwists and that made for great reading.
Wings of Redemption is a debut novel and a great one. It is beautifully written, with a likable FMC, a flowing writing style, a great fantasy novel, and I can’t wait for the sequel.
From the first I loved and felt for Ariana, she is a timid girl with an abusive family. When she gets thrown out, she finds herself in a strange world, and gets stronger and fierce. I loved how the author portrayed her. The writing style is great and the worldbuilding, a world filled with fae, magic and dragons, is amazing. It is very detailed, which I loved. I could see in all before my eyes. There are surprises, plottwists and that made for great reading.
Wings of Redemption is a debut novel and a great one. It is beautifully written, with a likable FMC, a flowing writing style, a great fantasy novel, and I can’t wait for the sequel.
March 18, 2024
Wings of Redemption is a beautifully written, must read for fantasy lovers!
Follow Ariana as she overcomes the barriers caused by abuse at the hands of her family, finding herself in a new world, where she is treated differently, like she matters.
I really enjoyed this story! I thought the writing was very good, and I loved how detailed it was. I could actually picture what was happening as I read. The story was intriguing and I had no problem getting into this book. There were a couple words that I think were a bit overused, but it was an awesome story with awesome writing, nonetheless. I cannot wait until the next book!
Follow Ariana as she overcomes the barriers caused by abuse at the hands of her family, finding herself in a new world, where she is treated differently, like she matters.
I really enjoyed this story! I thought the writing was very good, and I loved how detailed it was. I could actually picture what was happening as I read. The story was intriguing and I had no problem getting into this book. There were a couple words that I think were a bit overused, but it was an awesome story with awesome writing, nonetheless. I cannot wait until the next book!
March 20, 2024
I read chapters 1-15 and although the scenes are descriptive and lovely, the repetitive words and thoughts are a sludge to get through. The tenses flip from present to past, names change from chapter to chapter (Whiskers became Whispers; the Grove became the Trove), words are misused, and side trails distract from the main plot. Because of the grammar problems and formatting inconsistencies, I did not finish the book. The prophecy and love triangle tropes interested me, and the purple prose is gorgeous, but in its current condition I would not recommend reading it. If the author revised to correct the issues, I would love to see where Ariana, Thorn, and Kael find themselves.
April 19, 2024
From the very beginning, this is an emotionally hard hitting and captivating book which draws you in within the first few sentences.
You get to understand the main character, Aria, so well and understand what she has been through to develop into the person she has become.
The author paints the beauty of Eloria in exquisite detail, making you feel like you are truly there.
This is a wonderful story of one girl's journey to womanhood through trust, betrayal, love, lots, and discovering her own true strength and power along the way.
I highly recommend this book to any lover of fantasy, romance,, and coming of age tales. 5 stars!
You get to understand the main character, Aria, so well and understand what she has been through to develop into the person she has become.
The author paints the beauty of Eloria in exquisite detail, making you feel like you are truly there.
This is a wonderful story of one girl's journey to womanhood through trust, betrayal, love, lots, and discovering her own true strength and power along the way.
I highly recommend this book to any lover of fantasy, romance,, and coming of age tales. 5 stars!
March 10, 2024
Okay where do I start!
Ariana is such a relatable girl. Her strength is so inspiring and impressive. She's suffered through so much and yet she finds the will to continue forward and finds herself a new family in eloria, one which would go to extreme lengths to protect her.
Oh how can I forget about the 3 absolutely funny, cute yet scary creatures: zephyr, torrent and ember. I still can't decide who's my fav one out of all three.
The plot twists are so good and unexpected and the cliffhanger is *chef's kiss*🤌🏻
I can't wait for book 2😁
10/10 recommend adding to your tbr
Ariana is such a relatable girl. Her strength is so inspiring and impressive. She's suffered through so much and yet she finds the will to continue forward and finds herself a new family in eloria, one which would go to extreme lengths to protect her.
Oh how can I forget about the 3 absolutely funny, cute yet scary creatures: zephyr, torrent and ember. I still can't decide who's my fav one out of all three.
The plot twists are so good and unexpected and the cliffhanger is *chef's kiss*🤌🏻
I can't wait for book 2😁
10/10 recommend adding to your tbr
May 17, 2024
Love and Redemption in the Elorian Series
It’s a dark romantic fantasy novel that blends magical elements with deep human emotions.
The protagonist, Ariana, is relatable as she overcomes her troubled past and discovers a magical world. The novel features light-hearted dragon banter, which adds fun to the darker themes.
The world-building is vivid, and the plot twist at the end keeps readers engaged. However, the romance can feel rushed.
Overall, it's a great read for fans of fantasy and adventure, offering both escapism and emotional depth.
It’s a dark romantic fantasy novel that blends magical elements with deep human emotions.
The protagonist, Ariana, is relatable as she overcomes her troubled past and discovers a magical world. The novel features light-hearted dragon banter, which adds fun to the darker themes.
The world-building is vivid, and the plot twist at the end keeps readers engaged. However, the romance can feel rushed.
Overall, it's a great read for fans of fantasy and adventure, offering both escapism and emotional depth.
March 16, 2025
I mildly enjoyed the plot line but the writing style made it nearly impossible to read. Every single thing was described in insane detail to the point that I couldn’t follow conversations because something was being described in a paragraph between each persons sentence. The book also felt unedited with numerous typos and generally inconsistent formatting. Plot was the only reason I finished it and even that was a blatant copy of ACOTAR and Fourth Wing even actually reusing phrases from those books. Don’t know how there are so many good reviews do not recommend.
March 13, 2024
I was a guest editor, which meant I, as her husband was just peeking into her manuscript at random times. But everytime I read a page or two, my mind was completely blown away with the surprises and
twists!
Over the last few months, I've seen her figure out literally everything from starting out how to write to formatting the book to designing that stunning cover. Trust me, the way this has turned out, there's no way anyone is going to believe it's a first time product from an indie writer.
You have written an amazing book and done a fabulous job Gemma Apoorv Summers! 😚😚
I love you so much for following your dreams ❤️
twists!
Over the last few months, I've seen her figure out literally everything from starting out how to write to formatting the book to designing that stunning cover. Trust me, the way this has turned out, there's no way anyone is going to believe it's a first time product from an indie writer.
You have written an amazing book and done a fabulous job Gemma Apoorv Summers! 😚😚
I love you so much for following your dreams ❤️
March 19, 2024
OMG!! DRAGONS? YES! AMAZING STORYLINE AND WORLDBUILDING? ALSO YES!!
I was provided an ARC by the author, and, Gemma, thank you SO much, this was AMAZING!
I really liked the character development and to see how our FMC, Ariana, who has been through so much already got to grow and be a more confident and determined version of herself by the end. And I mean... that cliffhanger 🤯, I can't stop thinking about that.
Also THE DRAGONS?! Zephyr, Torrent and Ember are THE. BEST. I want to be their friend 😩
I can't wait to see what happens in book 2!!
I was provided an ARC by the author, and, Gemma, thank you SO much, this was AMAZING!
I really liked the character development and to see how our FMC, Ariana, who has been through so much already got to grow and be a more confident and determined version of herself by the end. And I mean... that cliffhanger 🤯, I can't stop thinking about that.
Also THE DRAGONS?! Zephyr, Torrent and Ember are THE. BEST. I want to be their friend 😩
I can't wait to see what happens in book 2!!
April 3, 2024
Uhm talk about a plot twists… this one absolutely blew my mind!
I must admit I had some trouble getting into this story. There was so much world building I felt that, at some times, it took away from the events happening.
But when the dragons came into play all that changed! I was captivated and had trouble putting the book down.
And with an ending like that… is the next book in this series done already? I cannot wait that long!
I must admit I had some trouble getting into this story. There was so much world building I felt that, at some times, it took away from the events happening.
But when the dragons came into play all that changed! I was captivated and had trouble putting the book down.
And with an ending like that… is the next book in this series done already? I cannot wait that long!
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