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The Wing Cycle #1
The One Who Could Not Fly
For generations, sylphs have lived isolated on the island of Shinalea, forgotten by the world. But they, too, have forgotten their past. Until it rears its head and changes the very foundations of their world…
Ravenna has grown up isolated and ostracised amongst the sylphs for her small wing size and her unusual colouring. She lives with the Intellecti, a collection of sylphs dedicated to learning, to facts, to history, to thought. But she feels most free when she runs through the trees of her beloved home. Until, that is, she comes across beings that should have been myth.
Humans.
Captured, Ravenna is taken from her home and into the vastness of the desert mainland. She is sold into slavery and thrown into a world that proves everything she knew about the humans right: they are nothing more than the cruel, bloodthirsty beings that filled sylph myths with horror. Until, that is, Ravenna makes a single mistake. She falls.
Suddenly, the world is not quite what she knew. Ravenna is thrust into this world of humans and their schemings for power, their political machinations, their hopes, their dreams.
Ravenna must decide whether humans are the nightmares of her people’s legends or just beings like her, finding their place in an unexpected world. And she must decide whether to save her world, or to destroy it.
The One Who Could Not Fly is an exciting fantasy adventure that asks questions of family, of independence, and of what it really means to fly.
Ravenna has grown up isolated and ostracised amongst the sylphs for her small wing size and her unusual colouring. She lives with the Intellecti, a collection of sylphs dedicated to learning, to facts, to history, to thought. But she feels most free when she runs through the trees of her beloved home. Until, that is, she comes across beings that should have been myth.
Humans.
Captured, Ravenna is taken from her home and into the vastness of the desert mainland. She is sold into slavery and thrown into a world that proves everything she knew about the humans right: they are nothing more than the cruel, bloodthirsty beings that filled sylph myths with horror. Until, that is, Ravenna makes a single mistake. She falls.
Suddenly, the world is not quite what she knew. Ravenna is thrust into this world of humans and their schemings for power, their political machinations, their hopes, their dreams.
Ravenna must decide whether humans are the nightmares of her people’s legends or just beings like her, finding their place in an unexpected world. And she must decide whether to save her world, or to destroy it.
The One Who Could Not Fly is an exciting fantasy adventure that asks questions of family, of independence, and of what it really means to fly.
302 pages, Paperback
First published June 22, 2020
14 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
E.G. Stone
25 books89 followersEvelyn Grimald “E.G.” Stone is an independent author, editor, and linguist who has been writing, creating and causing vast amounts of trouble since a young age. When not writing, she is off musing about the workings of languages—both real and created—or reading and sewing. E.G. reads voraciously, much to the confusion of her two dogs and two cats. Weird, nerdy, perhaps a little crazy, she is having a grand old time writing, reading, editing, musing on language, and, naturally, continuing her endeavours in causing trouble.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 18, 2024
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for gifting me a free digital copy of this book!
The One Who Could Not Fly surprised me with how much I ended up loving it.
This book follows the main character Ravenna, who grew up ostracised amongst the sylphs because of her small, deformed wings and unusual colouring. Pretty early on in the book she gets captured by humans, beings that are supposed to be a myth to her people, and sold into slavery.
She's thrust into this unfamiliar world where she has to learn how to adapt to the ways of humans and by doing that also look inwards. She has to determine if humans are like the nightmares described in her people's legends or if they're not all that different and what that means.
I was invested in this book right after I finished reading the prologue. I was never bored and immediately liked Ravenna as a main character. I rooted for her from the beginning and seeing her growth and character development in just book 1 was amazing to read.
Her relationship with Tacitus was one of my favourite things in this book. I'm a sucker for mentor type characters and I ended up really loving him.
I absolutely loved the plot of this book and how everything came together in the end. It was really well-paced and not once did it feel like it dragged to me. From the synopsis alone, I didn't know where the story was going to exactly. Suffice to say that I was pleasantly surprised with where it went and expanded.
The world-building was one of my favourite things of this book. The way everything was described made the world feel so tangible and real. From the clothes to the food to the environment to the political structure of the world.
I was a big fan of the writing style too. Not too complicated and really easy to read.
There is also a romance in this book that I absolutely fell in love with. Ravenna and Miska are so cute together omg. Is it kinda insta-lovey? Maybe. Do I care? Absolutely not.
Miska is another character that is just so easy to love. He is like this big cinnamon roll that just wants to do good and I just love him and I want to give him a hug. He also happens to be deaf because of a past injury and I wanted to point that out and not just erase that aspect of his character.
We're also introduced to Queen Lenore of the Red Desert and suprise surprise...I loved her too. I love her kindness and strength and her love for her people and I can't wait to learn more about her.
I also quickly wanted to talk about Davorin, the villain of the story. I loved his chapters because of the amount of political intrigue and further exploration of his character and his motivations. In his chapters we're also introduced to his sister and I hate that I don't remember her name anymore but I loved her so much. I also thought that the way Ravenna and Davorin's story lines were intertwined was cleverly done.
The ending of this book was pretty explosive and I did not see it coming at all. It ends on a big cliffhanger that makes you want to pick up the sequel immediately. I might have already bought the second book and I can't wait to read it.
I'm just so grateful for Netgalley for putting this book on my radar because I wouldn't have known about it otherwise. This book is sooo underrated it hurts. I hope that this book gets the hype it deserves soon because it really was incredible.
The One Who Could Not Fly surprised me with how much I ended up loving it.
This book follows the main character Ravenna, who grew up ostracised amongst the sylphs because of her small, deformed wings and unusual colouring. Pretty early on in the book she gets captured by humans, beings that are supposed to be a myth to her people, and sold into slavery.
She's thrust into this unfamiliar world where she has to learn how to adapt to the ways of humans and by doing that also look inwards. She has to determine if humans are like the nightmares described in her people's legends or if they're not all that different and what that means.
I was invested in this book right after I finished reading the prologue. I was never bored and immediately liked Ravenna as a main character. I rooted for her from the beginning and seeing her growth and character development in just book 1 was amazing to read.
Her relationship with Tacitus was one of my favourite things in this book. I'm a sucker for mentor type characters and I ended up really loving him.
I absolutely loved the plot of this book and how everything came together in the end. It was really well-paced and not once did it feel like it dragged to me. From the synopsis alone, I didn't know where the story was going to exactly. Suffice to say that I was pleasantly surprised with where it went and expanded.
The world-building was one of my favourite things of this book. The way everything was described made the world feel so tangible and real. From the clothes to the food to the environment to the political structure of the world.
I was a big fan of the writing style too. Not too complicated and really easy to read.
There is also a romance in this book that I absolutely fell in love with. Ravenna and Miska are so cute together omg. Is it kinda insta-lovey? Maybe. Do I care? Absolutely not.
Miska is another character that is just so easy to love. He is like this big cinnamon roll that just wants to do good and I just love him and I want to give him a hug. He also happens to be deaf because of a past injury and I wanted to point that out and not just erase that aspect of his character.
We're also introduced to Queen Lenore of the Red Desert and suprise surprise...I loved her too. I love her kindness and strength and her love for her people and I can't wait to learn more about her.
I also quickly wanted to talk about Davorin, the villain of the story. I loved his chapters because of the amount of political intrigue and further exploration of his character and his motivations. In his chapters we're also introduced to his sister and I hate that I don't remember her name anymore but I loved her so much. I also thought that the way Ravenna and Davorin's story lines were intertwined was cleverly done.
The ending of this book was pretty explosive and I did not see it coming at all. It ends on a big cliffhanger that makes you want to pick up the sequel immediately. I might have already bought the second book and I can't wait to read it.
I'm just so grateful for Netgalley for putting this book on my radar because I wouldn't have known about it otherwise. This book is sooo underrated it hurts. I hope that this book gets the hype it deserves soon because it really was incredible.
April 2, 2021
This was a well written book. It had a good flow and kept me engaged. I never felt bogged down reading it. The characters were unique (for me): Slyphs. It had some standard tropes but I like what Stone did with it, e.g., in one society the protagonist is the ugly duckling but when forced into another world is angelic and beautiful and unique. I would recommend this book to others who like a well paced, interesting story.
March 7, 2025
Once again I find that E. G. Stones' writing really resonates with me, and I loved every line in this heart wrenching book. Ravenna is a sylph who is born different to the rest of the sylphs, an orphan, rejected and ridiculed because she could not fly. She was raised as an intellecti by her heart-father, the only sylph to love her. She loved to run free in the forests, but one fine day she was kidnapped by a group of humans, sold into slavery, made to fight in the pit, tortured, abused and cruelly debased, whilst being called an angel. All these actions proved to her that all the lore about humans which she had learned was true, they were cruel and evil. She was handed from one master to another, and the cruelty increased. Until she meets the Red Queen of the desert. Under queen Lenore, life is tranquil and a haven for all, including herself, but she is too broken both physically and more so mentally to trust, and knows nothing of kindness, touch, let alone love. Ravenna has grown in strength and power through her travails at the hands of humans and it is her strength and power which is now being called upon. She can save her people or let them all perish at the hands of humans, she must make a choice, return to the island of Shinalea, to the people who'd rejected her, or enjoy her personal happiness just when she had started to experience this for the first time in her life. This book is heartbreaking in that Ravenna comes from a peaceful island whilst humans are set on war, they think the sword can bring peace but the sword always brings pain and desolation. I am dying to go on reading this compelling dark fanasy series but fear for the wellbeing of the sylphs in what is written for their future!
September 15, 2024
This book is the story of Ravenna, a Sylph who was born different than the rest of her race. She has different skin color and different wing color. And as if that wasn’t bad enough, she can never fly. Even her sister barely tolerates her and Ravenna lives a lonely life in a tower of intellect - the thinkers of society. One day, when on a mission from her adopted father, she is kidnapped by humans and forced into slavery.
Davison is the 2nd son of the Empire and wants to be his father’s heir now that his brother is out of the picture. But his father does not deem him worthy. So he sets out to prove his worth by uniting his empire with that of the Red Queen. Along the way his path crosses with Ravenna.
Ravenna is a character who is stronger than she gives herself credit for. She is forced to learn the ways of the human slaves and fighting pits. Once she is given the chance at freedom, she is still untrusting, believing all humans are horrible. And Davorin does nothing to disabuse that notion!
I enjoyed the different worlds and world building. And I liked how she started to figure out that not all humans were bad, that some were just in a bad situation the same as her. And when she finally learns to trust, she realizes there is more than just trust she can have with humans.
There were also some surprises at the end that I did not see coming at all! (No spoilers!) But now that I’ve read this book, I am definitely curious to see where this series goes with the magic introduced.
Davison is the 2nd son of the Empire and wants to be his father’s heir now that his brother is out of the picture. But his father does not deem him worthy. So he sets out to prove his worth by uniting his empire with that of the Red Queen. Along the way his path crosses with Ravenna.
Ravenna is a character who is stronger than she gives herself credit for. She is forced to learn the ways of the human slaves and fighting pits. Once she is given the chance at freedom, she is still untrusting, believing all humans are horrible. And Davorin does nothing to disabuse that notion!
I enjoyed the different worlds and world building. And I liked how she started to figure out that not all humans were bad, that some were just in a bad situation the same as her. And when she finally learns to trust, she realizes there is more than just trust she can have with humans.
There were also some surprises at the end that I did not see coming at all! (No spoilers!) But now that I’ve read this book, I am definitely curious to see where this series goes with the magic introduced.
November 27, 2024
Simply an amazing story by another new author for me. A well written story that will capture your attention immediately.
Ravenna was born different from all the sylphs. She had black stunted wings and pale skin. She grew up never fitting in. She became a scholar to help her people instead. Then one day while on a mapping mission Raveena was captured by humans. The humans believed her to be an angel and were quite happy with their prize. Ravenna was becoming a slave and she was terrified. It wasn't long before she was thrown into the pit. A place where slaves fight & die. Ravenna wasn't a fighter but with the help of fellow slaves she soon became the victor. Then along came the evil prince Davorin. He bought Ravenna as a gift for the woman he was courting. She had to learn to follow his orders or suffer his torturous punishments. When they arrived at their destination, Ravenna soon learned that not all humans were evil and she found love but Davorins insistence of Ravenna's help in securing the queens hand was weighing on her. She could see that the Prince was cruel and Ravenna wanted to stop him no matter what. She would fight until Davorin was defeated. She had to flee back to her homeland and warn all the other sylphs. Davorin had learned of their existence and after gaining the queens hand he intended to go after them and capture them all.
I will certainly continue with this series. Another amazing one for the tbr list.
Ravenna was born different from all the sylphs. She had black stunted wings and pale skin. She grew up never fitting in. She became a scholar to help her people instead. Then one day while on a mapping mission Raveena was captured by humans. The humans believed her to be an angel and were quite happy with their prize. Ravenna was becoming a slave and she was terrified. It wasn't long before she was thrown into the pit. A place where slaves fight & die. Ravenna wasn't a fighter but with the help of fellow slaves she soon became the victor. Then along came the evil prince Davorin. He bought Ravenna as a gift for the woman he was courting. She had to learn to follow his orders or suffer his torturous punishments. When they arrived at their destination, Ravenna soon learned that not all humans were evil and she found love but Davorins insistence of Ravenna's help in securing the queens hand was weighing on her. She could see that the Prince was cruel and Ravenna wanted to stop him no matter what. She would fight until Davorin was defeated. She had to flee back to her homeland and warn all the other sylphs. Davorin had learned of their existence and after gaining the queens hand he intended to go after them and capture them all.
I will certainly continue with this series. Another amazing one for the tbr list.
July 24, 2020
There's quite a lot I enjoyed about this first book in The Wing Cycle. For a start I love being introduced to new races and the winged sylphs who live in relative peace on an isolated island ticked the box. We learn some of their customs and how their society is structured, and I look forward to learning more about their history, how they came to be on the island etc.
I also enjoy a good underdog story, and our protagonist Ravenna most certainly provides this ingredient, being born with deformed wings and unable to take flight. Life is obviously made difficult for her, particularly by sniping peers, but she is taken under the wing (sorry, I had to) of a mentor who teaches her lore and the intriguing Dalketh which promises to be full of potential... However, Ravenna's world is turned upside down when she is captured and enslaved by cruel humans who presume her an angel. It's here where we start to see glimpses of her true character and of what the peaceful sylphs may be capable.
Add into this story a Machiavellian antagonist with a chip on his shoulder and an urge to seize the empire, an usurped queen, demonic possession, an unexpected love interest and promises of dragons, and there was quite a lot going on!
I look forward to seeing where the story goes from here, as it seems the sylphs harmonic way of life is about to be shattered.
I also enjoy a good underdog story, and our protagonist Ravenna most certainly provides this ingredient, being born with deformed wings and unable to take flight. Life is obviously made difficult for her, particularly by sniping peers, but she is taken under the wing (sorry, I had to) of a mentor who teaches her lore and the intriguing Dalketh which promises to be full of potential... However, Ravenna's world is turned upside down when she is captured and enslaved by cruel humans who presume her an angel. It's here where we start to see glimpses of her true character and of what the peaceful sylphs may be capable.
Add into this story a Machiavellian antagonist with a chip on his shoulder and an urge to seize the empire, an usurped queen, demonic possession, an unexpected love interest and promises of dragons, and there was quite a lot going on!
I look forward to seeing where the story goes from here, as it seems the sylphs harmonic way of life is about to be shattered.
January 24, 2025
I just finished listening to The One Who Could Not Fly, book one of The Wing Cycle series by E.G. Stone and I must tell you that I really loved it! This is the first book I've ever read (well, listened to) about sylphs and now I feel like I've been missing out.
Our main character, Ravenna, is different from others of her kind not just because of the black feathers of her wings but because she cannot fly. Captured by humans and sold into slavery, Ravenna must learn to adapt or die.
I really loved Ravenna's character development from a seemingly helpless being reviled by her own kind to someone who is strong and capable of defending herself in cruel circumstances. Her new found friendships play a big part in helping her believe in herself. Oh, and, the big bad baddies are despicable enough to satisfy any villain loving reader.
E.G. Stone has created a world with characters that are believable and so well written that I felt like I was experiencing the story as it unfolded. This story has so many elements that I love in a fantasy. I'm ready to jump into book 2. (Cliffhanger!) I highly recommend this series to all dark fantasy lovers - with a bit of a twist.
Very well done, indeed!
Our main character, Ravenna, is different from others of her kind not just because of the black feathers of her wings but because she cannot fly. Captured by humans and sold into slavery, Ravenna must learn to adapt or die.
I really loved Ravenna's character development from a seemingly helpless being reviled by her own kind to someone who is strong and capable of defending herself in cruel circumstances. Her new found friendships play a big part in helping her believe in herself. Oh, and, the big bad baddies are despicable enough to satisfy any villain loving reader.
E.G. Stone has created a world with characters that are believable and so well written that I felt like I was experiencing the story as it unfolded. This story has so many elements that I love in a fantasy. I'm ready to jump into book 2. (Cliffhanger!) I highly recommend this series to all dark fantasy lovers - with a bit of a twist.
Very well done, indeed!
March 9, 2024
enjoyable start to series
Living a peaceful, idyllic life, the sylphs enjoy their isolation. They are all similar in physiology and coloration that is, they are until one is born with different coloring, stunted wings and unable to fly. This is her story.
I enjoyed the book. It has good character development, interesting interactions, and some nice world building.
There’s an expanding empire with all the skull duggery that involves, and characters to cheer on, or his depending on them.
And above it all is a heroine, who has to figure out who she is, who she cares about, and what is important in her life.
It starts off no to low magic and is the beginning of a series. I would expect greater magic as a series continues and I’m looking forward to reading the next one.
Living a peaceful, idyllic life, the sylphs enjoy their isolation. They are all similar in physiology and coloration that is, they are until one is born with different coloring, stunted wings and unable to fly. This is her story.
I enjoyed the book. It has good character development, interesting interactions, and some nice world building.
There’s an expanding empire with all the skull duggery that involves, and characters to cheer on, or his depending on them.
And above it all is a heroine, who has to figure out who she is, who she cares about, and what is important in her life.
It starts off no to low magic and is the beginning of a series. I would expect greater magic as a series continues and I’m looking forward to reading the next one.
March 27, 2021
This was a relatively straightforward fantasy where a winged race known as sylphs live isolated from humans. The main character was born with smaller wings and is the only one can't fly. As a result she is left out from her society. The story picks up when she is captured and taken to the land of humans, where sylphs and other fantastical beings are the stuff of legends.
The human world read very much like Game of Thrones - everything is focused on war and empires. I didn't find these chapters as engaging. I was most interested in learning about the world through the main character's eyes. There was good character development, with her initially hating humans to eventually seeing the good and bad in them. I found the romance a bit unnecessary and unbelievable as it moved very quickly.
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book*
The human world read very much like Game of Thrones - everything is focused on war and empires. I didn't find these chapters as engaging. I was most interested in learning about the world through the main character's eyes. There was good character development, with her initially hating humans to eventually seeing the good and bad in them. I found the romance a bit unnecessary and unbelievable as it moved very quickly.
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book*
November 10, 2024
It has been a while since I have found a book as interesting as this one right from the start. The world-building is incredibly interesting. Layered, well thought out, intriguing. The story is well written and really keeps you wanting to read.
Stone has done a great job in crafting a main character in Ravenna who is ‘disabled.’ She is nuanced and flawed in a way that simply reads very true. She has a complex relationship with herself that comes through in a way that probably provides some very real insight into others that face similar situations.
I really enjoyed this story. It does trend a little dark so if you’re sensitive you may not enjoy the book as much but the pain isn’t gratuitous and seems to fit well into the story and world. As humans we should all feel called out a bit for how evil and violent we come across to the slyphs (who have lost contact with humanity) but if the evil cap of evilness fits, might as well wear it.
I will definitely be checking out the rest of this series to watch where it goes. It was quite an enjoyable read and really well done by Stone.
February 17, 2022
Audio book 🎧🎧
Book 1 in the series . First story I read by author E.G. Stone . It’s Well written and fast paced with lots of twists and turns. The writing is very well detailed with lots of drama, tension, , strength, well thought out and crafted characters, it’s Well written and leaves you wanting more! Narration was very well done, the story line flows smoothly and I love that .
The performance of Anne Marie Lewis is good , smooth and strong. She makes you feel like your in the story.
Book 1 in the series . First story I read by author E.G. Stone . It’s Well written and fast paced with lots of twists and turns. The writing is very well detailed with lots of drama, tension, , strength, well thought out and crafted characters, it’s Well written and leaves you wanting more! Narration was very well done, the story line flows smoothly and I love that .
The performance of Anne Marie Lewis is good , smooth and strong. She makes you feel like your in the story.
August 3, 2024
Ravenna is a sylph, though an outcast of her kind for her unusual coloring and too small wings that don't allow her to fly. The sylph society is isolated. Other species (such as humans) are thought more myth than reality.
But then Ravenna gets captured by humans who discover the island and her world is turned upside down.
Ravenna is an interesting character who is forced to confront who she is and what family means. It's a fairly short book at 300 pages and a lot happens. I would have preferred to spend more time in each place and read more about Ravenna adjusting to her new circumstances, but that's a minor criticism and I'm sure other readers enjoy the fast pace.
But then Ravenna gets captured by humans who discover the island and her world is turned upside down.
Ravenna is an interesting character who is forced to confront who she is and what family means. It's a fairly short book at 300 pages and a lot happens. I would have preferred to spend more time in each place and read more about Ravenna adjusting to her new circumstances, but that's a minor criticism and I'm sure other readers enjoy the fast pace.
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April 24, 2021Why did it have to end on a cliffhanger? Omg whyyy???
March 2, 2024
gory gross from page 1
September 18, 2020
Great creative fantasy!
I really enjoyed this book. Well written and fast paced. Great characters and the world itself is very creative. Ravenna is a Sylph, a race of winged beings that live in an idealistic, peaceful society. Even so, she is an outcast because she’s born with skin and wings unlike the norm. Also her wings are smaller, so she is flightless and bullied by her sister and others who are not accepting. She is taken as a slave by humans who believe she is the only one of her kind. She’s beautiful to them, but still treated harshly by the ones who would use her to manipulate others for their own profit. Her trials forge her throughout the story and the end is just a breaking point before the real trials begin. I can’t wait to read the second book and the third has just come out as well.
I really enjoyed this book. Well written and fast paced. Great characters and the world itself is very creative. Ravenna is a Sylph, a race of winged beings that live in an idealistic, peaceful society. Even so, she is an outcast because she’s born with skin and wings unlike the norm. Also her wings are smaller, so she is flightless and bullied by her sister and others who are not accepting. She is taken as a slave by humans who believe she is the only one of her kind. She’s beautiful to them, but still treated harshly by the ones who would use her to manipulate others for their own profit. Her trials forge her throughout the story and the end is just a breaking point before the real trials begin. I can’t wait to read the second book and the third has just come out as well.
February 14, 2021
Wonderful High Fantasy — written with a delicate touch!
“The One Who Could Not Fly” has a clever twisty plot, intriguing characters and though it’s an ‘easy’ read, it’s also a multi-layered story.
Ravenna has wings. She looks like an angel to humans but her own kind regard her as weak – her wings are too small for her to fly.
When Ravenna is kidnapped by humans, she experiences humanity with all its flaws: our cruelty, selfishness, and lust for power. But she also encounters unexpected kindness. She might even fall in love.
However, this story has a wider canvas than Ravenna’s happiness. Her kidnapping sets in motion a war, which may destroy her family, even her race. I’m not going to put any spoilers in here but suffice it to say, the ending left me breathless with anxiety. There’s only one cure.
I have to read Book 2!
“The One Who Could Not Fly” has a clever twisty plot, intriguing characters and though it’s an ‘easy’ read, it’s also a multi-layered story.
Ravenna has wings. She looks like an angel to humans but her own kind regard her as weak – her wings are too small for her to fly.
When Ravenna is kidnapped by humans, she experiences humanity with all its flaws: our cruelty, selfishness, and lust for power. But she also encounters unexpected kindness. She might even fall in love.
However, this story has a wider canvas than Ravenna’s happiness. Her kidnapping sets in motion a war, which may destroy her family, even her race. I’m not going to put any spoilers in here but suffice it to say, the ending left me breathless with anxiety. There’s only one cure.
I have to read Book 2!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews