Book Review Tuesday: The Boy Who Wanted Wings by James Conroyd Martin #bookreview

Book Review for: The Boy Who Wanted WingsWritten by: James Conroyd MartinPublished by: Hussar Quill PressISBN: 978-0-9978945-0-9
I read: ARC PDF. This ARC was given to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.
4 Stars
Engaging and Full of Intrigue
Martin pens an engaging story full of intrigue with “The Boy Who Wanted Wings.” Set in 1683, an Ottoman/Turkish invasion force has surrounded Vienna, intent on bringing Islam to a Christian Europe. If Vienna falls, so falls Europe. Nations band together to repel the threat. King Jan Sobieski III of Poland gathers his Hussars and Army to join the fight.  According to Martin’s historical note, this event was a pivotal one in European history.
“The Boy Who Wanted Wings” is told through the fictional lens of Aleksy Gazdecki, a polish peasant who longs to be a Hussar.  Though of Tatar origins, Aleksy was raised Polish and Christian. He’s fashioned his own lance and is a good archer. The local nobleman’s sons, Roman and Marek, are Hussars, planning to join King Jan as he marches on Vienna. When Aleksy meets Krystyna Halicki, Roman and Marek’s sister, sparks fly much to the brothers’ disapproval. Aleksy gets his wish to go to war as a retainer for Marek, however he has to deal with Roman’s ire.
Will the Polish army help to defeat the Grand Vizar who holds Vienna hostage? Can Krystyna and Aleksy find a way to be together despite his lack of a title and the war that threatens to tear them apart?
Martin’s writing is easy to read and understand. The plot and pacing are well balanced. The characterization is spot on. Aleksy is honorable and decent despite the hardships he has to face. Krystyna is spirited and independent, which will appeal to the modern reader.  The immediate threat of the Ottman invasion is one readers will connect to as even in modern times, there are struggles with insurgent Islamic forces.
One of the reader’s questions asks if Roman’s change of heart in the end is genuine.  This is a big change for Roman and for me it doesn’t ring true, as he’s been duplicitous throughout the novel. Roman is the character the readers love to hate. He does have some redeeming qualities, though he is awkward in how he presents them.
Overall, “The Boy Who Wanted Wings,” is a story that will keep the reader turning the pages to find out what happens next. While most historical fiction novels tend to be placed in an English setting, I find Martin unique in that he looks at history through Polish eyes.  I highly recommend this story for readers 13 years and older.