Published by Flame Tree Press on February 14, 2019
Pages: 288
Goodreads
There hadn't always been something wrong with Briella Blake, but when she's invited to attend Parkhaven, a private school for extremely gifted students, the girl's wicked genius begins to manifest itself in ways her mother can no longer deny are...strange. Briella's friendship with a raven, Onyx, that's equally as smart as she is, prompts her mother to restrict the animal from Briella's company. Soon Marian learns that nothing can stop her daughter from interacting with the bird, who seems to have become an integral part of the girl's experiments into the possibilities of recording and recreating personality and memory. Also the existence of angels, the afterlife and the soul. Marian's pregnancy with a sibling Briella doesn't want spurs the girl into a frenzied activity of experiments and desperation. Soon, it's impossible for Marian to ignore that although there hadn't always been something wrong with Briella, something is certainly wrong with her, now. Certainly even a child genius can't be blamed for the unexpected deaths and sickness surrounding her. Even the idea that the raven has become some kind of paranormal instigator of tragedy is too ridiculous and idea for Marian to entertain. With a difficult pregnancy sapping her strength, it's all Marian can do to keep herself out of the hospital, much less torture herself with worry about the daughter who's never caused trouble before. A mother's worst nightmare might be something terrible happening to her child - but what happens when the terrible thing IS the child? FLAME TREE PRESS is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launching in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.
✮ My Review ✮
Seriously can Flame Tress Press do no wrong! Yet another book I have read in their catalogue and another stonking book! Thankfully nowhere nearly as spooky as the last book I read by them, but just as terrifying in its own way. Plus now I am just afraid of Ravens!!!
This is not your typical ghost and ghouls story but one which is of a more ominous brew as it is a mother trying to deal with a child who is just beyond anything we could imagine intellectually. But Briella, (gorgeous name!) does not care about the lack of friends, or that she is incredibly intelligent, all she is cares about it Onyx, her raven! I loved that for a change we were not meant to “love” this little girl, in fact, I felt quite the opposite, Damien springs to mind much. Marion, the mother, my heart went out to her, I have a “difficult” little lady, in which she is so strong-willed and knows her own mind, I just hope she does not befriend any ravens, although we do have a black cat……
With the story unfolding through Marion’s eyes, we do not always have the complete picture of why Briella is behaving the way she is at times it can be frustrating only because I wanted to know what made her tick, what was going on in that brain of hers! However, I think for my sanity I am glad I did not get an insight into her brain!!
Black Wings starts slow, sucking you in before starting to unleash all the horrors we are to witness, and boy do you get sucked in. It is utterly engrossing, I did not even notice the witching hour upon me, and yet another night I was kept up past my bedtime, I promise I will get some sleep soon! Four books this week by Flame Tree Press so I think it is obvious who my favourite publisher is!
Black Wings is an intense read, as the sense of foreboding was emanating from every page, leaving you reeling especially when you know what the “secret project” is and the accidents begin…
I seriously feel like I need to get the house cleansed now from all the spooky, intense and horrifying books I have read this week!
So what has been occuring on this tour so far?
StacyisReading says
The plot is dark and eerie with tension that continues to build with each turn of the page. The horror mode slowly starts to weave it’s magic around you and I was left feeling uneasy and unnerved on several occasions which says it all about the writing style of Megan Hart.
Be sure to also check out a Q&A over at Don Jimmy Reviews, Guest Post over at Sean’s Book Reviews, Giveaway at TheReadingCloset and an Excerpt over at The Tattooed Book Geek.
Until next time xxx
Thank you so much to Anne at Random Things Tours for the tour invite and the author and publisher for a copy of this book in return for my honest and unbiased review
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
nickimags @ The Secret Library Book Blog says
Fab review this does sound very creepy!
Zoé says
It was quite creepy!!
SaraWIMM says
It was an intense read for sure, very well done though 🙂
Zoé says
Defo! Really did enjoy it! ☺️
aquintillionwords says
This is an awesome review!! 🙂
Zoé says
Thank you! So kind of you to say!!
annecater says
Thank you so much Zoe xxx