Emily R. King must be a huge fan of Greek mythology because Wings of Fury is loaded with it. If you don’t count yourself one in the same and have minimal knowledge about Greek mythology, you may want to be prepared to ask a friend or do a little online research. Otherwise, you may feel a bit left in the dark, but if you’re patient enough to wait, most things are explained in the end. For mythology lovers or patient readers, this is a very well-written novel with plenty of suspense and a plot that will grip your interest, holding on until the end. Many of the characters are multi-layered and keep readers guessing throughout the story. It is clearly going to be a series as she leaves you with several situations to carry through to another book, including a few unanswered questions that will likely be addressed in later books. Those who love a good mythological story will devour Wings of Fury.

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by 47North

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  1 religious exclamation; 5 mild obscenities; 8 derogatory names; 1 anatomical term. 

Violence/Gore:  Many (49) brief incidents including character wishing another was dead; potential to be killed by a snake; verbal threats; characters threatening with weapons; reference to women dying in childbirth; second-hand report of prisoner probably being a sacrificial offering; reference to wild dogs hunting lambs; second-hand reports of characters getting branded; references to characters purposely scarring their faces; implied murder; reference to father dying; play re-enacting castration of person; reference to characters dying; reference to characters burning down a forest; second-hand report of character swallowing babies; reference to husband hitting wife; second-hand report of character having tongue cut out and killed; sacrificial animal killed; characters getting knocked unconscious; arm getting cut; adult hitting child; character being given sedative; character scratching and spearing another’s leg; warriors fighting for fun; character’s ankle hurt and fighting soldiers; attempted murder; character fighting a dragon; characters getting knocked unconscious; fighting resulting in serious injuries; character dying in childbirth; murder; fighting resulting in the death of many.  One extended incident of characters fighting and some getting killed.

Sex/Nudity:  Many (36) brief incidents including kissing; holding hands; flirting; touching arms and shoulder; forced kiss; arm around; characters see a statue of a nude man; reference to husband’s betrayal; references to characters getting impregnated; reference to character not being a virgin; reference to breeding children; reference to full busts; character thinking about being with a man sexually; character removes clothing to bathe; references to sex; character called a “whore”; male character pulls female character onto his lap; character is given many maidens for his pleasure; holding hips; reported rape; girls dancing with other girls and implied sex between them; a few incidents of female and male characters touching “everywhere”; male character slaps female character’s bum and fondles her; male character naked and many female characters see him; characters half-naked at a party.

Mature Subject Matter:

Kidnapping/abduction; slavery; murder; homosexuality (implied); adult sexual activity.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

Many incidents of adults and teens drinking wine at parties and meals; many references to wine; characters smoking opium and putting opium in wine they are drinking; character being drugged; character poisoning other characters.