A 2015 William C. Morris YA Debut Award Finalist Magical realism, lyrical prose, and the pain and passion of human love haunt this hypnotic generational saga. Foolish love appears to be the Roux family birthright, an ominous forecast for its most recent progeny, Ava Lavender. Ava – in all other ways a normal girl – is born with the wings of a bird. In a quest to understand her peculiar … understand her peculiar disposition and a growing desire to fit in with her peers, sixteen-year old Ava ventures into the wider world, ill-prepared for what she might discover and naive to the twisted motives of others. Others like the pious Nathaniel Sorrows, who mistakes Ava for an angel and whose obsession with her grows until the night of the summer solstice celebration. That night, the skies open up, rain and feathers fill the air, and Ava’s quest and her family’s saga build to a devastating crescendo. First-time author Leslye Walton has constructed a layered and unforgettable mythology of what it means to be born with hearts that are tragically, exquisitely human.
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Everyone should buy this book while it’s on sale – it’s so utterly beautiful. It is exquisitely told and is as searingly lovely as it is sad. One of the best books I’ve ever read, and one of my recent favorites!
I picked this one up a few weeks ago based on glowing recommendations from @brianna and I’m glad I did. I’ve been unable to find better words to describe the story than what the title offers: “strange” and “beautiful.”
Walton weaves a nostalgic, melancholy generational narrative of the odd and often-misfortunate Roux family. While Ava Lavender was certainly a major character, she didn’t strike me as the focus of the book; rather, I felt the spotlight (as cheesy as this may sound) was on love in all its forms — love as playful, destructive, maddening, and healing.
The writing was absolutely enchanting. It was elegiac and magical. It was more fable or ballad than prose.
This book definitely isn’t for those looking for something plot-driven (or even heavily character-driven, for that matter). However, if you’re hungry for storytelling that’s gentle and wistful, look no further.
I saw this as an bookbub bargain and I could kick myself for not buying it. The narrator is Ava Lavender and she tells the story of her life starting with her grandmother’s beginning, and also the story of her mother. As a debut book Walton did phenomenally well. I instantly looked to see if there were more by her, couldn’t find any but fingers crossed more stories to come! What I love about the story is the tall-tale feel. The characters were all so enjoyable and I loved the time setting.
Not appropriate for middle school, but maybe high school.
I brought this book when I was on a school trip in my local city. I picked this book out because I wanted something new. I couldn’t put it down and I still love to reread it about 5 years later. Everyone I’ve lent it to has also loved it.
this book was such a good book, one of the best books i have ever read. I love this book because its realistic but with a twist of magic