haileysforest

[haileysforest]

Wings of Ebony Review

3.5/5 stars

Let's start with what I liked about this book. I really liked the world, it was a mix of contemporary and fantasy which made it easy to follow. It was fast paced, it felt like there was always something being revealed. And the author did an amazing job of giving us important details over and over again, like saying a character's name with why they are important/where we met them before so it wasn’t hard to follow. 

The scene with Brian may never leave my mind. That scene alone makes this book worth reading. And the talk about racism and colonization felt very well integrated into the plot, and for the first 330 pages felt very realistic. 

But then, the last 30 pages were where the book fell apart for me. Because after 4 straight scenes of the MC being beaten down she just… wins? Like everything falls into place with no explanation? It was incredibly unsatisfying, and after what happened with Bri I was really expecting more. I feel like there could have been some commentary on how people hold onto their racism, but also how easily racist people will alienate you. Like you can't win with them and they will other you in a heartbeat to keep their framework in tackt. I mean there was so much potential, but it just wasn't talked about. 

In addition, the character's voice was a bit hard to get into as someone who isn't used to reading modernized POVS, like there is a lot of slang, abbreviations, and AAVE. Which fits the character's voice and after a few pages was good for me, albeit a bit cringy at times(like why is a 17 year old using the word tummy?). 

I still will be reading the second book, I was just hoping for more out of the ending on this one. 

[haileysforest]

Had a writing revelation this morning

for the past few weeks I have been feeling really down about where I am as a writer and my growth on youtube. Quite honestly I started to feel desperate, because I want them to work long-term so badly.

I kept having thoughts about how much I need it to work, how I want to 'be there' or 'have it'. But today I really sat down and thought about what the 'it' is and realized something;

The only difference between where I am now and where I want to be is that writing and youtube will be self sustaining things, and more people will see my art. I am still doing the things I want to be doing in 10 years, I am writing, I am making fun videos. I am just not making money off them right now. Which isn't even my goal for them, like it's not the money I am after its being able to sustain myself on that and not having to do other things.

And I don't know if this makes sense to anyone else, but it helped me feel a bit more calm knowing I am doing exactly what I want to be doing already.

[haileysforest]

This Woven Kingdom

I have way too many thoughts on these first three books to put it all into a post here, but if you are looking to know if these books are right for you, or if you want to talk about the characters and plot make sure to go watch my video.

but one conversation I didn't talk about in the video but would love to discuss here is if you guys have a desired fantasy series length. Because there are 3 books in this series but there are still more to come. And we still haven't gotten through a single plot.

I am not the biggest fan of long series in general, but the way these books are drawn out feels so excessive. I prefer series to be 3 books long(excluding prequels and spin-offs)

[haileysforest]

How do you deal with not being good enough?

I feel like with art I wish there was a little tick in my brain that was like 'yes, you are good' or 'no, you aren't' just so I could know for sure. But I know with how subjective art and writing is that can't happen. I know there are some things I write that are better than others, but it feels so black and white to me.

[haileysforest]

one of my favorite clichés is the 'they looked at her, really looked at her.'

It feels so relatable, seeing someone in a new light, the thoughts clicking into place. I eat it up every time

[haileysforest]

Reading more than one book at once

for those who read more than one book at once do you have to do different genres?

because I can read more than one book at a time but they have to be separate. Right now I have my poetry book at my desk, my fantasy I read in bed and my essays I read on my computer. #booktwt

[haileysforest]

What is the book you think about the most?

I'm not talking favorite, I am talking the one that takes up the most amount of space in your brain. For me its Empress of All Seasons

[haileysforest]

Been enjoying a messier sketching style recently

[haileysforest]

This is a poem from my November poetry collection! If you want to read the other poems you can go here: https://haileysforest.blogspot.com/2024/12/november-poetry.html

[haileysforest]

Just started Wings of Ebony!

I'm already a few chapters in, and listen the first few pages were a bit hard for me to get through but I am pretty hooked now. She's also just so pretty

[haileysforest]

My Thoughts on Girls Made of Snow and Glass

Overall, I really enjoyed the story and felt it was an easy read. It is a snow white retelling with queer characters and an emphasis on relationships between mother and daughter. I mean the thesis of this book is trying to find who you are outside of your family's expectations. The plot felt very subversive, the characters were interesting, and the magic system was fun. There were sometimes where the characters actions were not fully explained, and while the lines could be made, they weren’t outright written. And there was one plot point that got solved at the end in like a second which always annoys me. But the book has very beautiful writing with lots of great quotes and some good metaphors.

[haileysforest]

Has anyone read this book?

I saw a lot of people talking about it online, and as someone who isn't great at punctuation I thought I would give it ago, but I am about 100 pages in and I don't really see the point. It feels like i am not learning anything and more so the author is just complaining and championing for people to be stricter about punctuation.

[haileysforest]

how did that get in there?

[haileysforest]

I love killing men!

Just started writing my second book today about a woman killing a bunch of men, how is your day going?

[haileysforest]

I'm about halfway through this book and man I am super surprised, I did not think I would like it this much

[haileysforest]

this poem is from my January poetry collection where I talak a lot about reflection, self care and growth! If you want to read more like it make sure to check out the full collection: https://haileysforest.blogspot.com/2025/02/january-poetry-collection.html

[haileysforest]