Rebel Wing

Rebel Wing #1

by Tracy Banghart

When everything that defines you is stripped away, who do you become? War has come to Atalanta, infecting its quiet villages and lush woodlands, igniting whispered worries in its glittering capital. All across the dominion, young men are being Selected for Military and sent to the front lines...and eighteen-year-old Aris Haan's childhood sweetheart is one of them. Pyralis Nekkos, Atalanta's leader, has kept the truth from his people, that their dominion will fall...and much sooner than anyone could guess. Galena Vadim, his reluctant ally, wishes she could forget their shared past...until her future seems to depend on it. For the boy she loves, Aris, a talented wingjet pilot, will give up everything - her home, her name, even her face... ...only to become the key to her dominion's survival.

Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Dystopia, Adventure, Military Fiction

386 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 24, 2014

About the author

Tracy Banghart grew up in rural Maryland and spent her summers on a remote island in northern Ontario. All of that isolation and lovely scenery gave her the time to read voraciously and the inspiration to write her own stories. Always a bit of a nomad, Tracy now travels the world Army-wife style with her husband, kids, and pets.

Reviews

[Tracy Banghart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so special to me...I wrote the first draft when my husband was deployed for a year to a war zone. Aris and this story were born out of my longing and worry for him...and my desire to be with him, no matter the cost.

The story became about so much more than that, though. Questions of identity, political accountability, how far a person will go to do the right thing....and how far they'll go for the people they love.

I hope you enjoy!

[Jen ♥Star-Crossed Book Blog♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

***4.5/5 Stars***

Rebel Wing was spellbinding, intricately crafted, and I became completely addicted.  A rich picture of countries at war was painted, and I found myself being pulled in by the moments of hope, betrayal, torture, alliances, and friendships.  While the twists that played out where surprising or hopefully expected, they had me jumping up and down!  And don't even get me started on the dangerous butterflies that danced around in my stomach.  I can't wait to see how the rest of this series proceeds!

But she’d never given up, never backed away from a challenge.
Aris straightened her shoulders.
And I won’t this time either.

As the story unfolded, we got to hear the tale in three voices.  While Aris Haan is the main person we follow, the other two are integral for learning the politics and the events surrounding the war.  Usually I'm not a huge fan of multiple perspectives, unless it's a couple and we hear their alternating voices, but I actually loved the way this story was told.  Being able to see from the town's people, military, and government views made for such a well rounded story.  I found myself becoming as invested in the politics and back story as I was in Aris' life.  The two other people who you'll follow and won me over are Ward Nekos Pryalus, who is Atalanta's current leader where Aris resides, and Ward Galena Vadim who is the current leader of the neighboring country Ruslana.

But she wasn’t a hero. She was a romantic. A foolish one, probably, giving up everything for the boy she loved.
But you’re a flyer too , a voice whispered deep inside.

Aris quickly became a favorite heroine of mine.  She takes challenges head on, was tenacious and brave while having a huge heart and I loved that she grows up as the story proceeds.  When we first meet Aris, she laughs off being recruited to fly for war, since women aren't allowed in the military.  She's one of the best pilots in her town, yet she truly doesn't see that as an option until her boyfriend is sent to war.  The boyfriend whom she was supposed to be Promised to.  So she enters the military, disguised as man, in hopes of being able to be closer to her boyfriend.  To be honest, I struggled with Aris giving up everything to be near her boyfriend, Calix Pavlos.  There was so little time of them together that I never felt a connection to their relationship or Aris' plight.  But have faith, because as the story progressed, things started to click into place.  And the path that was taken was perfection.  I wish I could say more.....

“I don’t care what anyone says. I want to believe things will work out. I’ll be with Calix. You’ll find your brother—”
“We’ll win this war.” Dysis voice was quiet, her face serious.

Another thing that was perfect in my eyes, was the strong female friendship.  Aris meets Dysis down the road, and it was so refreshing to see two women support one another!  They trusted one another, helped each other, and when push came to shove they could count on the other to have their back.  But one aspect I did struggle with was the names.  We got introduced to a lot of characters with unique names in the beginning of Rebel Wing, and it took me to 30% to have a good grasp on the secondary characters.  I am horrible with names at times, so this definitely could be my issue alone.  Also, while the very beginning was a tad slow, it quickly picked up its pace and held for the rest of the book, yay.

Now I am off to start Storm Fall!  I can't wait to see how all of the pieces fall into place!

*ARC kindly provided by Author via a Facebook Giveaway in exchange for an honest review*

For more of my reviews, please visit:

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
The shift in cover art and title was a great move. The second cover really gives a better feel of what the book is about. The first cover was enticing, but it didn't really scream sci-fi book with a really cool MC who flies. I think the second cover will garner a much more devoted fan base. And this book deserves it. I found it to be really well written and engaging. I loved watching Aris learn and mature and grow into her own person. I really hope there will be more books set in this world. I am a map person so I would like a map next time too. Not that I have any say, just sayin'...

The one drawback to the books was the love affairs. They were too easily formed and dissolved. I need to see that a character is going to be constant and not distracted by another person while they are in a committed relationship. Just because things are hard, and you don't get to see each other, doesn't mean you form attachments elsewhere.

I felt this book was full of really strong women. Galena was my absolute favorite character. I really would like to read more about her. I found myself looking forward to her chapters. Her romance was tender and sweet even if it was full of heartache. But again we have a man who is promised to someone else falling in love with Galena.

I would have expected a book this good to be picked up by a major publishing house (that sounds incredibly snobbish to self published works, but I haven't had much luck with those), and I feel that the author will be putting out more quality work. I will be waiting to see what is next.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

(ARC courtesy of Tracy E. Banghart and NetGalley)


What an inspiring dystopian novel with a great insight into the distance that can grow between close friends and family of service members and also the close knit bonds that develop with people military individuals meet along the way.

This novel is a true YA dystopian - new world, new technology, what used to be an idyllic world now under siege. I thoroughly enjoyed that, like real life, Aris entered the military with one set of expectations and reasons and it morphed into something much bigger than herself and she grew with her experiences. She is a strong character and grows more confident in herself as the story progresses and I find this very appealing.

And I'm proud of her for leaving Calix (though I do have to admit that Calix seemed like the perfect boyfriend at the beginning of the novel). It's difficult to want to be together yet live different lives and not surprising that she and Milek found camaraderie and developed feelings for each other because of all their similar experiences. Milek is super tough and hot so no complaints here ;)

Overall, this novel was an excellent read and I read the entire book in one sitting because I kept wanting to find out who was behind the horrible sabotage and what would happen with Aria. The ending was a great and I sooo enjoyed how things turned out. Reminds me of the ending in Mulan *swoon*

[David Estes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebel Wing is a well-written, exciting adventure set in the dystopian/fantasy world of Atalanta, and is another awesome example of why Indie/small press books have managed to break into the mainstream. It reminded me of Matched by Ally Condie, but with more action and suspense. I highly recommend this to those who enjoy fantasy and dystopian novels with a romance aspect to them. Also, get ready for plenty of twists, particularly toward the end, which will keep you guessing!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read. This is a story about discovering who you really are, and letting NO ONE keep you from being your true self. There's so much you can take from these pages--love, family, the cost of freedom just for starters.

I think I loved the world building in this one the best, and how realistic it all felt. I also liked that it didn't get too bogged down in the technical, but everything still made sense. And although there was some cliches, I did MOSTLY like the characters.

Although this made me think of many dystopian/sci-fi reads (Under the Never Sky, Dove Arising, Partials) and was almost reminiscent of WWII, it really did have a unique flavor to it that kept me glued to my Kindle! I read this one all in one sitting. Can't wait to read the sequel!

[vicky. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review can be found here


This is the second time I read this book and it only gets better and better.
Aris is slowly becoming a character I can admire.

Definitely my favorite book of the year.




*hugs book*

[Lauren (Northern Plunder) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was first posted on Northern Plunder, if you want to see more reviews please click here.

I was fortunate enough to receive an early copy of Shattered Veil for review after being contacted by Tracy to see if I was interested, and with how her other books kept me so entertained I just had to agree. This will in no way effect my opinion of the book.

It took me a few days to find the time to fully invest into Shattered Veil but once I started I just couldn't stop.

Since finishing this book at almost 3am in late February I have written two short reviews, one an initial reaction to finishing the book on Goodreads which reads:

"Oh my god. I love it. So much.
I've enjoyed Tracys other books a great deal but I feel like this one just showed how much better she can write even though the others are great too but like woah okay it's 2:37am and I don't even want to sleep because this was just too good *squeals* I avoid war books because I don't like how real it is, which is why I enjoyed her paranormal-ish books so much but but but highly recommend."

The other I wrote on a tumblr to have it listed as my recommendation for next month that had to come under the genre of "New Beginnings" which we could interpret as we so wished, this read:

"Shattered Veil is a newly published book by Indie Author Tracy E Banghart, as well as the first in a new series, the story is about Aris as she makes some important decisions to follow the boy shes loves into a war to help defend her dominion - to do so she must start a new life disguised as a man. (#this is so much more than a love story #its about a strong female character who realises her new life #her new her #changes her for the better #and in result changes the world #changes her reason for fighting in the war #and just All round happy awesome powerful female characters #lots of feminism ideals here guys #super awesome)"

We have to keep our recommendation short so I went over into the tags to express how much I enjoyed this book.

(Once the post goes live with our New Beginnings recommendations I'll include a link here)

So now I'm sat here thinking I need to write an even better review that does this book even more justice for how much I adored it, but I'm afraid that I can't meet such a standard.

Aris is such a strong character from the very start, whether that is clear to all readers or not. Some may see her as naive and childish for having this perfect life planned out with her ~one true love~ when there is such a devastating war going on.

But isn't that how we all live before our eyes are opened?

And did you have to relearn to walk, and find a substitute for when you couldn't?

Well I don't know about you, but I didn't.

After facing reality that her and Calix couldn't be as perfect as they had hoped when he gets selected to head to fight the war as a Mender, she takes the only opportunity she has to be with him.

This means going under great training and secrecy to join the war efforts herself, as a flyer for search and rescue.

Only trouble, women aren't allowed to join the army but with cutting edge secret technology she is able to do just this, along with many other unknown women too.

So Aris becomes Aristos.

Whilst here she is faced with a lot changes in what she knows of the world, but also within herself.

The development of Aris throughout the book is great and I love how true the whole word and scenarios feel!

An even greater plus is that Aris isn't the only strong female character, we also have part of the story told from another, older female character who is the leader of one of the dominions and has to go through a terrifying and painful ordeal too!

I can not express my love for this book enough, it just makes me so happy and excited to think back to every moment of it, that I can't wait to read it again in a few years but also that at some point we'll get a sequel where I can fall back in love with this world all over again.

I need to buy a copy to sit on my shelf amongst all my other favourite books.

[Rachmi · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC was provided by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for honest review.

I think this is a good book and I enjoyed reading it, mostly in second part.

The first part was a struggle for me. Despite the war that is looming in Aris' world, the story is a bit boring. Although I admire her eagerness to be with her loved one, Calix, I'm also annoyed with her. She's joining the military to be close to him, so she should know the consequences. But in all her training time she's whiney and is so innocent, if not a bit silly and careless. I know it is needed for her character development, as we can guess she'll soon realize her role and reasons in the military is bigger than her initial reason, but still I felt like I want to tell her to stop complaining. In a way, it makes the story feels slow. And then, there is another story between the leaders of the dominion Ward Neko and Ward Vadim love story, it isn't as interesting as Aris story and I felt it kind of dragged on.

Another thing is there isn't much description about most of the important things, well at least important for me.

When I read the blurb I thought that this is a dystopian story. I felt like it is a dystopian but I didn't get clear worldbuilding and the time setting of the story. If it’s a dystopian I need to know what happened before Aris’ time takes place. My friend said this might set in an alternate universe as we felt places in the story remind us of places in our world. But there isn't much any description either. So it's pretty hard for me to picture Aris' world.

As the most important thing in Aris disguise, the Diatous Veil, didn't describe much either. Aris has to have it to manipulate human eyes to think that she's a man. The book says that it has something to do with electrode. I don't think it's enough for my brain to believe it. I need more explanation about it, how about the chemistry and other technical things that connects to the electrode?

There are so many questions about it in my mind as so does with the reason of the war I also thought Ward Neko's wife, Bett, reason to help Safara is not enough. I felt it's too easy and too convenience for Ward Vadim and Ward Neko relationship to put Bett into the position when Ward Vadim's husband died. I hope I'll get the answers in next books.

Fortunately, second part is much better as the pace takes turn. Aris is more likeable. She begins to understand her role in the military. Her struggle to keep hiding her identity is also interesting. In order to keep her "mask" I think it's impossible for her to avoid touching her friends in the military, but I also can't wait to know when and how her disguise reveals.

I also like the way Aris and Calix relationship grows. It's bittersweet but it's understandable. It surely adds the drama in their relationship and become an important thing in Aris' life. And it's action-packed. I really enjoyed reading how Aris loves flying. I can see that she indeed loves to fly.

Can't wait to read book 2! Thank goodness I've already had it so I don't have to wait for long to read it.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aris has always enjoyed flying even if it’s been just dusting the fields. Now that she’s an adult it’s time for selection day which will change her future forever. She expects to end up flying for her dad as a duster until she and Calix are ready to marry. When a strange military flyer arrives right before the selection hinting that Calix may be drafted into the military due to the growing war he also gives Aris an offer that she might not be able to refuse. Girls can’t join the military it’s a men only but with the right connection she can use a vale to hide she’s a women and join the fight flying. When Calix is recruited to the military she has no choice but to follow him into the war he just doesn’t know it yet.

Deciding she isn’t ready to give up flying Aris joins the military under a vale as a rescue pilot. The training is intense pushing her to the limit forcing her to be strong enough to pass as a man. At least it’s worth it because she will get to fly for something that she loves. Aris passes her training joining the as a pilot but she doesn’t tell anyone who she really is but her roommate who is also a girl. As Aris spends more time in the war rescuing more people she finds herself becoming the soldier she’s pretending to be. What will happen if they learn the truth about her? What will Calix think? Will she be able to go back to the normal life?

I like Aris she was willing to take the chance risking her life for something she loves. I enjoyed watching her grow into the soldier while it may not be the path she wanted it turned out to be that path that was right. I’m not sure how I feel about Calix but I do see potential for her with another guy who may just see her for who she really is. While I’m not a fan of love triangles this one may just work out for the best.

I picked out Rebel Wing because it’s a dystopian with a female pilot because a couple of girls in my local book-club are into military theme books. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started the book because it had been a while since I read the synopsis so it was a pleasant surprise. I’m not afraid to admit I’m a last minute procrastinator when it comes to book club books it’s last minute. I wish I hadn’t waited so long to dive into Aris’s story because I very much enjoyed her adventure it’s a captivating story. The concept is unique reminding me of other dystopian novels but with its own unique spin. I’ve not read my books when the main character is in a war so I found it fascinating. I think the characters are great I found myself connecting with Aris she’s strong and determined. I enjoyed the authors writing style the book just flows it was hard to put down ended up finishing it in one day. This is my first book by the author but I hope to read the rest of the series got to see what’s going to happen with Aris and her career.

[Claudia {SparrowHawk} · Rating 5 out of 5]

SPARROW'S THOUGHTS:
// Rebel Wing is a profound and absorbing story that struck a chord with me as it placed so many of my internal conflicts into perspective. I cannot even begin to express how gripping this book is, and how incredibly difficult it was for me to finish reading it!

// Tracy Banghart’s writing style is most admirable. Her story development is well structured and so full of depth. Her characters are strikingly vivid you find yourself wishing they were real people. Even more, her storytelling is captivating! It has a comfortable flow that is so enthralling, you lose touch with reality. Such sweet elements that reminded me how wonderful it is to read a book, and why I love it so very much <3

// Rebel Wing has all the distinctive traits I thirst for in a dystopian prose: the broken and hopeless protagonists who rises from the depths of her despair, addictive dialogue, internal conflicts and thoughts that are so deeply affecting, and enough passion to start a fire!

// It’s a story that evokes a great deal of internal emotion. It poses questions about bravery, patriotism, suffering and cowardice. More importantly though, it’s a book that empowers the reader to persevere, and to grab hold of their life ambitions; it resonates on a very personal level

// I’m not even joking when I say this, but I must have cried at least five times at random during the last quarter of the book. My poor little ones were so worried and concerned with my sudden outbursts of, “Oh gosh, what do you do!? What do you do!?” and then there were the erratic moments where I would bury myself in my Benny’s arms, and whisper, “Don’t leave me, please don’t leave me.” That’s what this book did to me! Even more heartbreaking, is Tracy Banghart’s story on how she drew inspiration for this narrative! Gah! It’s just all so achingly beautiful

// Forewarning: this will be a gushy review, and forgive me in advance, for I do not for one second believe, that this review will give the book justice {sigh}

// I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for the purpose of this review, it was not required of me to give a positive review, but to solely express my honest thoughts and opinions of this book, which I have done


3 THINGS I LIKED:
{+} In light of my recent plight with the Young Adult genre, you are more than likely aware of my love/hate relationship with this particular group of books. Still, no matter how hard I try to wean away from this addictive breed, I simply cannot! Which, I suspect is owing to the obvious fact that it is the only present place where great storytelling is found; plus, its nostalgic! Having said that, Tracy Banghart has revived my love for this genre once more by introducing me to one of the most breathtaking character arcs I have read to date!

Allow me to introduce you to Aris Haan, who to me, is the embodiment of perfection for this one reason: she suffers great loss. Isn’t this something we can all somewhat identify with? Evidently, Aris’s loss is incomparable to mine, but still, what this novel does is, it meticulously pulls you into Aris’s story and compels you to live and feel her every emotion as if they were your own.

It all starts with her journey to vie and protect what she cares for most. This pursuit — like most pursuits in life, has its hindrances (as well as its advantages), and that is where Aris comes to life as Tracy Banghart begins to peel back her layers, and thoughtfully exposes Aris’s imperfections and weaknesses. But even though Tracy Banghart forcefully throws the most unimaginable hardships her way, Aris perseveres and manages to overcome those giants. She seeks and plunges in desperation to the only source she has left, herself. And what she discovers in this monumental affliction, is absolutely beautiful and soul piercing. She finds an inner strength that unexpectedly mends her shattered self-esteem, as well as her broken wings (pun totally intended).

I wholeheartedly love Aris, and in a way you can’t help but to admire her because you find yourself: cheering her on, you ache and mourn with her, you contemplate and weigh in her internal struggles, and oddly enough, you find yourself drawing courage and inspiration from her remarkable ability to get back on her feet. Also:

> She’s a phenomenal fighter jet pilot (yeah!)
> She’s petrified by the reality and circumstances that surround her, but at the same time she is fearless
> She speaks her mind in a civilization that does not grant women a voice
> She breaks cultural bounds
> She’s a revolutionary (unknowingly)
> She is not a wilting damsel in distress by any means
> She’s altogether passionate and so very complex

I’m afraid this is all I can say on the subject because I really really long for you to taste, feel and experience Aris’s character arc for your own!

{+} The most fundamental aspect of this book to me, is the actual message the author leaves you with. I don’t know Tracy Banghart personally, but what I was at the very least, able to directly perceive from this narrative was, that Tracy did not simply write a novel with the motive of gaining approval or awards (although she rightfully deserves them). No, Tracy is intentional with this book in delivering a message to a generation of young people who live in a world that is tossed to and fro in a pool full of uncertainties and terror-stricken possibilities. To put it plainly, Rebel Wing hands over a message of hope, and this to me, is what the Young Adult genre should embody. I stress this sentiment with my children in mind, because I know that they will face greater hardships than I ever will; thus, they need role models/central characters whom they can identify with and draw inspiration from; more importantly, a realistic hope. On that note, thank you Tracy, for your courage and vulnerability to share your own fears and conflicts with us through this admirable and compelling narrative

{+} Another delicate element that’s been left rough around the edges, and one I admittedly tend to judge critically in the Young Adult genre are the romantic proses. Now that we’ve established this, here is my standing ovation to a tragic, memorable and enduring love story that stole my heart. Yes, finally, a romantic story worth getting emotionally involved in. I am telling the truth when I say this: I was literally overcome with anguish, contentment, disappointment, hope, admiration, disapproval, joy. . .just all of it bundled into a t-shirt full of snot and tears! I’m at a loss really, because, who do you choose!? What do you do!? when your heart is torn between a love you find comfort and safety in, and a love that embraces your passions, strength and ambitions? What do you do!? when your heart is being torn out of your chest because you realize that you can’t have the two? Gah, my heart!

Needless to say, this romantic prose is so much more than just a romantic experience friends. It is one that defines characters in the midst of change; each thriving and blossoming into more than he/she could have ever hoped for. It’s a really plot-heavy romantic story line that is absorbing yet, totally free of false sentiment. It will resonate deeply; I guarantee it!


3 THINGS I DID NOT LIKE:
{-} Because Rebel Wing is a complex character-driven story line, it somewhat falls short in the world-building factor, but does this really matter? No! Not when you are wholly obsessed with characters who take the center stage and drive an emotional plot line that forces you become aware of your own strengths and weakness {soft whimper}

{-}So we have a remarkable female protagonist that pretty much rocked my world, and I believe that we’ve established that she is a gifted fighter jet pilot too right? Well, Rebel Wing doesn’t dive into the mechanisms or gadgets of these dystopian/sci-fi military aircrafts, and I reckon this is my inner gamer girl speaking and nit-picking this small issue; so, don’t mind her; go on read the story! Hurry! :P

{-} There are a few similarities within the premise that ride on the coattails of popular YA novels such as Divergent, The Hunger Games and The Giver, but once you get past these very small comparisons (which are only in the first quarter of the book) Rebel Wing becomes its own unique story line, and again, this is but a footnote compared to the overall delivery. Read the book!


Overall Rating:
Plot | 10/10
Characters | 10/10
Setting/Mood | 8/10
Moral Value | 10/10
Cover Art | 9/10
Overall | 10/10

Originally posted @ Sparrow's Reading Corner

[Marcela (BookaholicCat) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shattered Veil (Rebel Wing) is the first book in The Diatous Wars by Tracy E. Banghart.

People, Shattered Veil is so good I wish I could you say: buy it, read it and thank me later; but I know your greedy minds need more for me to convince you. So here we go…

When she was a child Aris Haan was afflicted with an illness that left her so weak she had problems walking. When she was twelve her father taught her to flight and in the air Aris found the freedom she didn’t have in land. She not only felt in love with flying, she became the best wingjet pilot of her town, Lux.
The only thing that surpassed her love for flying is her love for her childhood sweetheart, Calix.
The time has come for Aris and Calix to have their professions selected. After the selection they plan to Promise (engagement). But things don’t go according to plan; Calix is selected for military service and in days he will be leaving Lux to serve in the Atalanta military. Atalanta is at war with Safara and things don’t look promising for Atalanta.
After Calix departure Aris is heartbroken, without him she can’t find her place in her village. Luckily for her she has way-out. A secret agency of the military approaches her and offers her the option of serving in the military as a pilot. The only drawback is that she will have to pretend to be a man (only men serve in the military) and will have to go through an intensive training.
Aris has been a weakling her whole life; people have always taken care of her. She knows she may not be strong enough to pass the tests, but she finds her strength in her love for Calix and doesn’t give up.
While serving she will be call Aristos and will use a new technology called the diatous veil to change her appearance.
Even though Aris joint the military to be close to Calix, soon her priorities start to change. Next to her commander, Major Vidar, she realizes that her role in the military is more important than love. She is excellent and what she does and she can make a difference saving lives.

If I’m honest, I started Shattered Veil with low expectations but just couple of pages in I was completely submerged and in love with the story. Mrs. Banghart gives us an insecure and weak young girl and page-by-page we see her grow and become a worthy heroine.

Aris wasn’t weak per se, but after her illness the people that surrounded her, to protect her, made her weak and didn’t expect much of her. She allowed them to do it and became dependent of them.
When Aris left her village behind and was forced to confront her weakness she didn’t shy away, she did her best and the results surprised even her.
In this newfound strength Aris also found the confidence and self-esteem she was lacking. Seeing her go through that transformation was inspiring and I couldn’t help but cheer for her along her journey.

I liked Calix on the beginning of the book, but after seeing things with other eyes I realized he was also part of the Aris “weak” problem. Calix is a caregiver at heart and for him taking care of Aris was important; for that he needed a weak Aris. I’m not saying he was bad for doing so, it just the way he is.

Major Vidar is an intriguing and dreamy character. He’s strong, determined and dedicated to the cause. Even though I realized who he was from the very beginning it was good to see the reasons behind his secret. I can’t say more without giving spoilers away, you need to read this book.

One thing I really loved about this book is that even though there are two-love interests, if I can call them that, there is not a love triangle.

There is an array of very interesting secondary characters, some of them play very important parts in the story. I can’t delve more without giving spoilers away. You need to read Shattered Veil.

Despite being a sci-fi world, the world Mrs. Banghart created is realistic and very vivid. I just needed to close my eyes to picture it. The technology, even though is futuristic is believable; it was easy to imagine how everything work.

Mrs. Banghart’s writing is spotless, fluid and the plot is perfectly paced. The characters are not only multidimensional, they also grow throughout the pages. There are many twists and turns with secrets woven into the story making of the Shattered Veil an impossible to put down book.

Shattered Veil was my first book by Tracy E. Banghart, but I can guarantee you it won’t be my last. Next book in The Diatous Wars series, Tangled Promise, will be release on February 2015. Saying I’m eagerly looking forward to read it is the understatement of the year.

I highly recommend Shattered Veil to sci-fi, dystopian and YA fans or to anyone who wants to read an excellent crafted book.

[Courtney LaSalle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in love with Milek! End of story. He is my book bf of the moment so patient ♥

Review to come!

Update***

This is A tremendously well executed YA dystopian novel. You have the new world, new highly advanced technology, and a country that is in war.

Aris is a young girl (who is also one of the BEST flyers in Lux) who is going through Selection with her boyfriend Calix. They have everything planned out. He will become a mender and will announce that they are promised to each other that very night. Her world gets turned upside down when she meets a man named Tress who tells her that everything she has planned is in fact not happening (he wants her to consider flying for a military that women aren't allowed to join). Aris sorta shrugs everything he says off. At selection she learns everything Tress said was true. Calix will indeed become a mender but for the Military.

Aris not able to handle her Boyfriend going off to war, knowing they could go months even years without seeing each other decides to take drastic measures.
This is when Aris becomes, Aristos Haan, Military flyer.

At first doing this all for the wrong reasons Aris is a little annoying to me. But hey if shes annoying to me and gets under my skin then it shows that I am in a teenage girls mind. Someones mind who hasn't fully matured. One that misses her boyfriend. The author developed her correctly. I get to watch Aris blossom into a wonderful man/woman. One with commitment, loyalty, and courage. A person who decides that everything she/he is doing has much more meaning. And its something beyond her. It isn't just for Calix anymore. Which is a good thing because the way he treats her later on the book disgusts me.

Major Vidar/Milek (no spoilers you have to read the book to find out why he has two aliases) Is the hero/male lead in this book, in my opinion of course. Once it comes out that Aristos is actually Aris we see little glimpses of Major Vidar being interested especially towards the end. But you know what I love about him?!?! He isn't pushy. He understands Aris isn't ready for a relationship much less a new love interest. And he respects that. He is very handsome, charming, and patient. I love him.

On top of the war going on, Aris becoming a man and growing into herself as a person, we also have the kidnapping of Galena, The Warden of Ruslana going on. I liked the suspense the author built on this. Until the end when everything was getting wrapped up and tied together I had no idea what significance Galena had or why this kidnapping was so important. But don't let that get to you, it does have significance and it opens a lot of doors for Aris and women in general. I like the vague and mysteriousness of it all.

I enjoyed this book. It took me to a new place. I was rooting and hollering for Aris. I got emotional and scared and worried. Everything I want a book to make me feel this one did it for me.
As I have said in a previous book review I have done for this author, Her writing style is flawless to me. The character execution is right on the money. She truly makes me feel like I am a part of this. She makes me WANT to be a part of this.

In modeling you aren't always posing alone. Sometimes you have to pose with two birds on your head a snake wrapped around your arm and a crying baby at your feet. But your job is to own that picture, to make it work, to make people want to be you in that same situation because you make it look good you own it. Tracy Banghart did that for me in this novel. She made me want to walk in Aris shoes. She turned this dystopian novel into something real for me. The emotions were live and raw.

two more things to say
1. I love that this novel is based on the story and everything going on at hand, You don't have a romance taking over the story, but it still has the romance there.
2. Thank goodness for no love triangles, I was almost scared there was one coming on! So again thank you for not doing that to me

[Viking Jam · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://koeur.wordpress.com/2014/01/06...


Publisher: Tracy Banghart
Publishing Date: February 2014
ISBN: 9780989037327
Genre: SciFi
Rating: 3.8/5.0

Publisher Description: War has come to Atalanta, infecting its quiet villages and lush woodlands, igniting whispered worries in its glittering capital. All across the dominion, young men are being Selected for Military and sent to the front lines…and eighteen-year-old Aris Haan’s childhood sweetheart is one of them.

Review: Although the cover-art is fairly inventive, it really has nothing to do with the novel. Fairly misleading in its entirety. There is even a silhouette of a world war II plane in one of the crystals? The novel evokes images of flying machines that are quite a bit sleeker and perhaps smaller in design and wouldn’t have exhaust contrails as they are solar powered. And why is there a bracelet on the cover? The title doesn’t do it for me either. Subjectively there is no draw for any reader to pick this up when you have bad cover art coupled with an ambiguous title. The author might have titled the novel, “The Diatous War, volume 1: The Ruslana Gambit” with better result.

Airhead…er…Aris, lives in Lux where she hopes to be promised to the love of her life, Calix. War has reared its ugly head and her Calix is selected to be a mender on the front lines. They both promise eternal love and a future together and off he goes. Aris loves to fly, and one day is mobbed by a military flyer, which she easily gets the better of. From there we get this quirky set of circumstances that leads up to her training to be a military flyer while in the guise of a man. Her impetus for doing so is to find her love, Calix. The “Veil” is holographic mapping hardware that changes your outward appearance. See, there are no women allowed in the military but a “secret agency” knows that there are highly qualified and capable women that could greatly aid in the war effort.

I really liked this novel, mainly due to the creative story-line. The author did a great job in developing Aris. She basically transforms Aris from a love-struck airhead into someone with purpose, conviction, loyalty and bravery. The author does not sacrifice Aris’ humanity and turn her into some kind of hard edged commando like so many author’s do these days. How many books have I read where the female character is either so “Speshul” (thanks Khanh) and can’t find her ass with both hands without some big hunky man to help her, or a killing machine without remorse whom has the morals of a grapefruit. Aris is a wonderfully conflicted character who maintains her sense of self while implementing her chosen way of life.

The parallel story of the Kidnapped Ward of Ruslana, Galena is lengthier than it needs to be, but worthwhile just the same. The author creates this tapestry of malaise whereby you get the sense that something is wrong, but are not quite sure of its origins. Some readers might question Aris’ overall intent, but I tack that up to her romanticized notion of life as a young girl. I don’t know that if I was in a war that I would be thinking or dreaming about some hottie officer while recovering from a plane crash. Those instances, while not real appropriate to the scenario, may have been a good opportunity for the author to develop Aris’ harder side.

I couldn’t put this one down. It was a really good read. I hope the author gets some better editing input into character development in some minor areas in order to realize their potential to the reader. Some of the dialogue renders the female military characters almost too susceptible/vulnerable in tight situations. I ‘am chomping at the bit to see where the author takes us next. Will she keep Aris or will it be someone else in another Ward, perhaps some spy that is sympathetic to Atalanta’s plight within Safara??

[Kerri (Book Hoarder) · Rating 4 out of 5]

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4.5 stars. I freaking loved this book. :D

Edit: The sequel to this is coming out in a month, just as an fyi!

Do you like Mulan? Do you like stories about women fighting against the expectations that society has for them, and proving that they can kick ass and take names with the best man out there? Do you like to read about strong, stubborn women who keep fighting even when it's hard? Do you like books about intrigue and war?

If you do, then this is a book you should check out.

Aris is a girl from a small village, looking forward to her Selection when it'll be decided what area of work she'll go into. She's in love with a boy named Calix, and she's sure that when they're both selected, they'll be Promised to each other and have the happily ever after that she's always dreamed of. Although their country is in conflict with another, that seems distant and she tries to ignore it.

Instead of her happy ending, though, Aris gets surprises and disappointment. Instead of being selected for the area that she wants, Aris is selected for something else - and worst of all, Calix is selected for Military, which means that he'll be sent away, with no guaranteed return time. It's everything she didn't want - and everything the man who offered her a job hidden in the Military had told her would happen.

Hard as the decision is for her, Aris knows that she can't stay in her little village. Driven by the need to be with Calix, she makes the choice to go and fight. If she can be near him, they can be promised and eventually come home together, and isn't that what she's always wanted?

It's not as simple as that, though, because to join the military in the first place, Aris has to undergo grueling training, pass physical tests and then, on top of that, disguise herself as a man. In her society women are viewed as vitally important and 'essential' they're forbidden to fight, their roles confined to the home or jobs that are 'safe', far away from any danger.

Away from the peaceful bubble of her village, though, Aris realises the truth - her country is involved in a war with a neighbouring country, and as a brilliant wingjet pilot, she's not going to be on the sidelines. She's sucked right into the heart it all, and on the way she learns about her society and most importantly, herself.

I won't lie, I loved this book for feminist reasons. How could I NOT when it has lines like this:

"Shouldn't women decide what they'll allow for their own bodies, not a government acting out an antiquated, unnecessary law?"

"I do this because I believe a woman should have the right to fight and die for her dominion, just like any man."

It's not just about feminism, though. It's about a person being restricted and confined to certain expectations by everyone - lover, family, society - and growing beyond those and realising that she's grown beyond those. As many times as Aris doubts what she's doing and thinks that she will fail, she keeps fighting. She's determined and stubborn and proud and that makes her story a joy to read. There's a touch of romance, too, and Aris' growth is closely tied with that, and I really liked her arc throughout the book.

All of this is set against a backdrop of deception and intrigue as we switch point of views between Aris and Galena, the leader of the country. She too is standing up against people who wish that she'd back down and go along with them, and ultimately their stories twine together and they are crucially important to each other.

I really hope this book gets more attention and buzz, because it deserves it.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in return for an honest review.

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got a copy in exchange for an honest review

I have read two other books by Tracy Banghart, so when I got the tour invite for Shattered Veil I immediately signed-up. When I received the ARC I couldn't remember much of the blurb and for some reason believed it to be a fantasy book, I was pleasantly surprised when I found out it was a great dystopia book and I think this is Tracy her best book so far!

As soon as I started this book I was totally into the story, I easily read the first 50 pages in one sitting before I put down the book. The story had me intrigued from the start and I just had to know more. There is a lot happening and the pace is done well. I just wanted to keep reading, every time I picked it up I read a huge chunk of the story at once. It took me more than a week to read this book, but most of the reading was done in 3 sittings, because when I sat down to read I couldn't put it down.

Aris is a great main character, she changes a lot in this book and there is so much character development. I would like to say she also grew stronger, but when I think about I think she always was strong already, she just had to find her strenght again. Aris is a great main character and she gives up almost everything and then realizes she is fighting for something else entirely. I really liked Aris as a main character, in the beginning she was a bit naïve, but that quikcly changed. From the side characters I have to say Dysis is my favourite, she is Aris her roommate at the military and I really liked her. I hoped we get to see more of her in the next book too.

The world that Tracy creates in this book is really interesting. Although sometimes it felt more like fantasy book than a dystopia, because it was difficult to connect the world in this book with the current world. Also I would've liked to see a map of the world, because even though it was described where the countries where it was still a bit difficult to visualize and know where the countries really where. Also in general I would've liked to get just a little more world building, while reading the story this didn't bother me, but when thinking about it I realize there is so much that isn't explained. The story is just so much the focus of this book I hardly realized there wasn't much world building.

There are some questions about the world and how it changed and why that just didn't seem to get explained really well. Also it was difficult to get a good idea of how much years in the future it was and which technological advances had taken place. Also one thing I kept wondering about is why the women in the military where never discovered, it just seemed like they would've been discovered earlier before this. It's too big a thing to stay hidden for long and their names didn't change that much, if someone really looked into it, they would've find it out.

To conclude: I really enjoyed Shattered Veil, every time I picked it up I didn't want to stop reading. I really like Tracy her writing style and I think Shattered Veil is my favourite book of her so far. The story is interesting and Aris is a great main characters. There are some questions about the world that wished would've been answered better, but all in all I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read the next book in this series!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

**I received a free e-copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Aris Haan cannot accept that the love of her life has been Selected for Military and she won’t be able to see him for months, maybe years. As Atalanta’s war with Safara rages on, there are more and more causalities. That doesn’t stop Aris from wanting to sign up to be a Flyer with the military. There’s only one problem–women aren’t allowed to join up. Disguised as a man using a diatous veil, Aris seeks only to find Calix–but she finds much, much more.

I sat down with this book and was suddenly a third of the way through, my husband had kindly turned the light on for me because it had gotten dark outside, and my stomach was rumbling because I’d missed dinner. It was so good!

Everything, from plot to characters to setting to writing style was wonderfully executed. I’ve read quite a few “woman disguised as a man” books and this was such a fresh take on it all. Because really, how likely is it that many women would be able to get away with binding their breasts and speaking in low voices all the time? The diatous veil technology provided an answer to the challenges women face when trying to disguise themselves as men, and I loved how it was interwoven through the plot, becoming important in more ways than one.

I loved the development of Aris’ character. At first, as she’s doubting her ability to undertake this great task, you have to wonder how it’s possible too; she doesn’t seem capable. However, first drawing strength from her love of Calix (which some people might find annoying, but having been in a long distance relationship myself, totally understood where she was coming from), she then finds strength in her work and in her new found abilities. I loved watching her change and grow, and I’m hoping to read more about her in a sequel (or two or three?).

Setting was spot-on. A little bit sci-fi, a little dystopian, it had all the markings of great world-building: good dialogue, good use of slang terms, different names for everyday items, a well-constructed society, research about war excellently handled. Loved the concept of being “Selected” for a career path. It’s reminiscent of The Giver, but was just different enough. Speaking from past roleplay experience, I can tell you that sort of thing could really catch on and develop a fanbase, if enough people read this book!

The plot was engaging and fast-paced. Like I said, I couldn’t put it down! It was amazing how all of the different pieces came together so seamlessly, and there were a few twists and turns that I didn’t see coming.

All in all, high praise for Shattered Veil! I highly recommend it to anyone who likes a good sci-fi book.

This review and more can be seen on my blog, More Than One Page.

[rachel, x · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - Review copy provided by Sky Pony Press for an honest review.

• The beginning was rather dull. Little happened for the first half of the book and it was rather tiresome. However, the second half was much more action-packed and had a lot of great scenes. It much more entertaining and enjoyable.

• It lacked a good introduction to the setting and time period. Is this a dystopian? Supposing so, yet we were weren't told roughly when it was meant to be set or what happened to cause the drastic changes to society. Were the "wards" section of the same Earth we know today or is this set in alternate universe-like situation? Too many unanswered questions.

• Great character development. Aris was not the most likeable characters to begin with. She was compliant and dependant and lacked motivation. I wasn't impressed with her choice to join the military solely to find Calix, it should have been about saving people, defending Atalanta or for protest against the military's "no women" policy. It was fantastic to see Aris grow from this insecure girl into someone much more confident in who she really was.

• Calix was a brat.

• The Diatous Veil needed more explanations. I didn't believe it could possibly work for even a second. How could it change an entire person image? A hologram couldn't be that advanced in this setting if nothing else was that high tech. They still flew planes after all. Wouldn't they have cool hover jets or something else fancy if they had the sort of technology available to them that could change a person's entire appearance?

• I didn't like the romantic complications, especially concerning Galena and Nekos.

• A little thing that annoyed me was that we never learnt what a digitablet was despite Aris constantly using one.

• Side note, I prefer the title Shattered Veil to Rebel Wing. I think its much more suitable. This cover is better though.

• The ending was a little convenient but I liked it.

• I have high hopes for Storm Fall and am actually really excited to read it. The ending of this gave me hope that the second book will be much more action-packed and Aris-focused.

Check out my buddy reading partner's review here. She pretty much summed up all my feelings about this book.

[Ali Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Science Fiction might be my favorite genre of all time, but good ones are few and far between. I guess because, while I like the worlds of sci fi, I don't like to be dragged into a science-heavy story. I don't need to know how everything works, I just need to trust that it does. (I'm totally thinking about Galaxy Quest here!)

For me, an excellent sci fi possesses two essential things: plausible science and strong characters that drive the story.

Aris/Aristos, the main character of Shattered Veil gives me everything I want in a believable and empathetic character. She feels real to me--and I LIKE her. I'd want her to be my friend if I met her in real life.

There are a lot of fantastic sci fi treats--wingjets and technology that just feels so real and possible.

What I love best, though, is ARIS. I love that she starts the story as a "regular" girl--driven by love to do crazy things.

But by the END . . . well, I won't give anything away. Let's just say, Aris is a kick-butt girl who grows into a woman and forges a path that others (like me, in my regular life) could follow. *I* want to be like Aris. *I* want to be the sort of person who can look beyond themselves to become something GREATER.

Really loved this book, the world, the characters, just . . . LOVE.

[Bèbè ✦ RANT ✦ · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the very beginning I was very intrigued with the cover, summary, and the premise that the book promised. It sounded very "Girl-Power" forward where a girl has to pretend to be a guy in order to actually be good at something. I was excited to get into the book since the whole "Mulan meets Dystopia" sounded extremely promising.

A couple of things to begin with. The story itself started out interested, with Aris flying and being chased by a Military man. Fast forward a little bit into the book, we are introduced to the society with its selections and groups to which members will be matched to. This right here already sounded like many Dystopian books so I felt like it was a re-told story when it should have been original. I did like that she was faced with a problem of man/woman not being equals but overall, it wasn't something that I would go crazy about. Good read but could have been better.

[Hallie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rough start, as the heroine spent way too long romanticising war, and dreaming of how wonderful it would be when she and her (not-quite) fiance would save lives hand-in-hand and be so blissful together. The war didn't make a lot of sense to me, either, as Our Side seemed a bit naive and there were meetings, kind of like NATO with lets-iron-out problems while there was actual war going on. But eventually the heroine got her act together, and eventually the multiple POVs paid off a bit more than I'd expected, so could have been much worse.

[emery Buriedinbookland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

Holy crud! I thought I was getting burned out by all the dystopian I'd been reading, but I wanted to give this a chance since I thought the synopsis was pretty interesting.
And I'm so glad I did. This novel was probably the start of my favorite dystopian series and I'm beyond excited to see where this series is going.
Also, Aris is a super strong female character and the light of positivity she shines on women in general, was fantastic and made me love her character even more.

If you're looking for a refreshingly new dystopian with a strong female MC, definitely check this one out!
I can't wait to read the next one in the series!

[Kalla [A Bookish Nerd] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebel Wing takes dystopian to a whole new level. Gone are the controlling governments, factions, and death by experiments or games. This book makes all of that seem mediocre. In Rebel Wing, there is so much more than just the dystopian aspect. There's disguise, betrayal, finding oneself, losing the people you love, death, friendship, trust, bravery, and some awesome flying. All of that is what makes this such a good dystopian novel because it adds flavor to the story. It's not the simple rioting-against-the-government plot that everyone else uses. This is something entirely different.

In Aris's world, war rages. Her country, Atalanta, is at war with Safara and they're losing terribly. More people are dying than there are enough to enter the Military. Things are bad. Bloody. Atalanta isn't going to last much longer unless it gets help from other countries. But Aris doesn't care about any of that. All she cares about is Promising to Calix, the man she's madly in love with. But when Calix is Selected for the Military, Aris's world is ripped away. Being an amazing flyer and one of the best out there, Aris is given the choice to enter the Military and become a flyer for a search and rescue team, possibly finding Calix in the process. But there's one catch: women aren't allowed to enter the Military. In order for Aris to become a flyer and see Calix again, she must disguise herself as a man. Given special voice enhancers and a chip that can alter appearances, Aris becomes Aristos. But disguising herself as man will take more than just altering her appearance. She'll have to act like a man, think like a man, all the while searching for Calix. But maybe finding Calix isn't her true destiny. Because with each person that she saves, Aris is becoming a true soldier- and this might be her real calling.

The plot was so promising. I'm glad that it held true to its awesomeness throughout the entire story. I love the idea of a woman disguised as a man in the military (I'm a big fan of Mulan). Not only is it kickass, but it just goes to show that women are just as tough as men are and maybe even more so. When you bring all of the other aspects (romance, friendship, war, action) into this book, everything ties in nicely. It's not a jumbled mess of different things. The plot flows nicely and evenly.

The setting for this book starts out in Lux, Aris's hometown. Of course, when she leaves, the reader sees more of a military standpoint. We see a lot of military bases and war. It can be gloomy at times, but it does have its enlightening moments like in every war.

What I liked the most of all were the characters in this book, especially Aris. Aris is a whiny and annoying character for the first part of the book. I thought to myself, "Great, we've got another Mary freaking Sue". But somewhere down the line, Aris morphed into this kickass, brave, smart, and talented young woman. Despite all of the hardships she went through, she never once gave up. She stood her ground and faced her fears. She stopped becoming a doormat for everyone else to step on. In fact, she become a formidable force. You just don't mess with Aris. She'll mess you up some way or another. I really liked to see Aris change from the needy farm girl with a clingy personality to a strong, independent woman who could handle her own. The character growth and transformation of Aris was the best part of this book.
As for the other characters, I really enjoyed them. All of them had their own unique personalities that added to the story. I especially liked Major Vadim and the dynamic relationship that he had with Aris/Aristos. The only thing that I didn't care for was the way things were rushed between them at the end. It came way too fast. As for Calix, I didn't care much for him. He was a great character to add in the "not everyone is perfect" idea. Personally, I think Aris would be better matched with Major Vadim. He isn't trying to tame or protect her from war. Major V knows that Aris can hold her own, and he's not going to stop her from doing what she thinks is right. But he WILL have her back. That's what it's all about. Calix thought of Aris as a porcelain doll that could be broken at any moment, and I hated that.

I also loved the war parts of this book. It doesn't hold back the ugliness and heartlessness of war. Innocent people are going to die in this book. Men, women, and children. War is a terrible thing, and this book portrayed that. It also portrayed the turmoil that soldiers will go through in war. The psychological torment that goes through a soldier's head is something entirely too real in war, and I'm glad that Banghart didn't sugarcoat it.

Overall thoughts? I'm so sad to have finished this book.



I CAN'T WAIT TO READ THE SECOND BOOK!

[vicky. · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC by NetGalley




How far would you go to be with the person you love?


I’m trying to think about something that I didn’t like about this book… but I’ve got nothing.


Aris lives in the small village of Lux and has a really cute boyfriend. She’s pretty normal, except for the fact that she loves to fly wingjets. She’s the best.
When a stranger tells her that her boyfriend will be selected for Military rather than Health, as they all had assumed, and that she can be with him even though woman are not allowed in Military, she is in disbelief.

And then he’s selected for Military. Her world falls apart. Calix will leave her, and she will just stay in her village, waiting for him to return.

Or she could become a man, wearing a veil to disguise her appearance and infiltrate in the only sector she’s not allowed to be in, just to be with the man she loves. And if someone discovers who she really is….



I love everything about this book. It’s a little bit of sci-fi, young adult/new adult, has adventures, girl power, character development and Ari’s journey to discover who she really is.


It basically has three POV’S. Aris, Ward Pyralis and Ward Galena. Wards are like president of the Five Dominions. And jesus, Galena’s POV had so many twists and turns that won’t believe what you are reading, trust me. Pyralis’s chapters were fewer, but with him we got to see how Atalanta (his and Ari’s country) really was.

Can’t complain with the world setting, it was amazing. And Aris! She is so brave and matures so much during the book. I’ll be definitely waiting to hear more from her.



And remember, Aris wears a veil to disguise herself as Aristos… and the name of the book is shattered veil.

[I'd So Rather Be Reading {Nat} · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Originally read in January 2014, as Shattered Veil. This book was re-released as Rebel Wing on 7/29/14.

Shattered Veil was such a neat book! I loved the world Banghart has created. The city on stilts, the way the world is divided into dominions, the technology, it was all so unique and well-done. The actual veil used to change a person's appearance was the coolest part of the book. I loved it! There was just enough of a technological explanation to make the veil seem plausible and make sense, without overwhelming me with scientific information.

Shattered Veil was a little slow to start, but once the world was established and the characters were introduced, along with their histories, the book really took off. Once Aris made her big decision about her career, the plot started moving quickly and the book got really exciting.

There was a big cast of characters in this story, which I enjoyed. All of the characters were well-developed and they all contributed to the story in essential ways. No one was superfluous and I enjoyed that aspect of Shattered Veil. I especially liked that Banghart's characters didn't always behave how I expected them to: the story was full of surprises, which made it even more fun.

For a YA book, Shattered Veil was deep and introspective. There was so much personal growth, in several of the main characters. The fact that much of the story centers on the military and government during wartime made this book such an intelligent read.

I really loved Shattered Veil. The plot was intricate, the emotions were intense, and the book was exciting to read. I highly recommend it!

[Ayah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beginning of the story itself is a retelling of Mulan. We follow the story of Aris, a girl who loves to fly and can hardly wait to be promised by the love of her life, Calix.

 However things do not go according to plan  when Calix is chosen to join the Military, and leaves Aris unpromised. Getting her heart broken made her lose her love for flying. But, when  she was offered a chance to join the military as flyer, she takes it. 

But women aren't allowed to enter the Military, and entering means being really fit. Could Aris overcome her fragility and make it in? Will she reunite with Calix? Could she actually fit in, and save people's lives? Doesn't that sound really intriguing?!?!?

I  loved the transformation that Aris has gone through. She went from being dependent on everyone, to being strong enough to stand up for what she believes in. The author, Tracy, was able to capture this character development in a very impressive way through out the book.

The story swims in an ocean of emotion, which made me able to connect with how each character was feeling.

 The book was a perfect escape route from my exams. Each reading session left me eager to read more, yet very refreshed to carry on with my studying.

I loved this book, and I believe that it is going to be one of my favorite series. It has this perfect mix of character development, action, and love.

I received an eARC of Rebel Wing in exchange with an honest review.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know what to say about this book, except I loved it! It was so much more than I was expecting and I have to admit, I got caught off-guard by some of the turns this book took. I even liked the technology in the book and I usually zone out when they start talking details but in this story, technology was complex in its simplicity and I actually stayed tuned in during those sections.

I loved the characters and I found myself wanting to know more about all of them, even minor players. they have depth, humanity, and challenges that they meet head-on regardless of their fear. Courageous women who don't go out of their was to emasculate the men around them. Men who try to understand that the gifts we are blessed wth aren't gender-based. Here the people are important, not their gender. While a young woman struggles to overcome the restrictions put on women regarding the military, she grows and is able to learn so much about herself and those around her.

I now am looking forward to the second book in the series and I am sure I will not be disappointed. I can't wait to see where the story goes from here, and I am certain I will love the journey!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each time I read one of Tracy Banghart’s novels, I find myself bookmarking pages so I can later know where to find examples of beautifully rendered scenes and descriptions. Banghart’s newest, Shattered Veil, delivers knockout writing once again along with complex, well-drawn characters, a vivid world and a relentless plot. The protagonist of Shattered Veil, Aris, is both an empathetic and three-dimensional character who finds herself challenged to the point where she must test all her limits as she suddenly finds herself torn between her personal feelings and the greater good of the nation she unexpectedly finds herself serving during a time of war. To avoid spoilers, I’ll stop there but this novel starts Aris on a journey of change that is both immensely satisfying within this novel and sure to keep developing in future novels. With Shattered Veil, Banghart offers a compelling and well-balanced mix of science fiction, romance and action that promises a unique new series sure to gain many followers. Nicely done!

[Debbie Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot and can't wait to read #2 and #3. The story develops well and I am quite fond of the Aris & Milek dynamic. I had my library get this copy of Rebel Wing, but I plan to purchase all three books in the very near future. I am just waiting to get a kindle first. I am picky when it comes to ya fiction because I like to pass them on to my teens. Just for the record, the first teen to read it thought it was amazing.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the world in this story! I hope to read the next book soon. The main character was someone I could relate to and I didn't find her annoying.

I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.