Sparrow Rising by Jessica Khoury

Sparrow Rising, the first volume of a promising new fantasy series for middle-graders, depicts a race of winged humans.

Sparrow Rising (Skyborn #1) by Jessica Khoury. Scholastic, 2021, 269 pages.

Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12

Recommended for: ages 10-14

Ellidee Meadows is a member of the sparrow clan of winged humans, and an orphan to boot. That’s two strikes against her in a rigid society where sparrows are never expected to rise above farming. But she has ambitions! Chiefly to qualify for the Ascension Race in the capital city of Thelantis, which in turn would give her a chance at becoming a Goldwing. The Goldwings are made up almost entirely of the higher clans (ospreys, eagles, hawks) but are entrusted with protecting all citizens of the Clandoms. Ellie has held this ambition ever since that terrible day when a gargol attacked her parents and would have killed her too, if a Goldwing hadn’t rescued her from its clutches.

Ellie is close to winning her qualifying race until a cry for help distracts her. The cry comes from Nox, a member of the Crow clan, who claims to be on a secret mission. Though he’d rather not have her company, Ellie insists on going along to Thelantis once he informs her she can still enter the Ascension Race as a “wild card.” Thus the sparrow joins Nox and his two companions on a mission that she begins to doubt. Once they’ve stolen a rare jewel called a skystone, her doubts are confirmed—and from then on, friendship and loyalty will clash with the notions of honor that have inspired her dreams.

The wings seem a tad gimmicky, but the story develops real character depth and nuance. Ellie faces honest dilemmas over what’s real and what’s image, and Nox isn’t what he seems at first. The story is told from their alternating perspectives, but other characters show promise of emerging further. Also, we can be pretty sure gargols will occupy a lot of territory in the future. Questions raised in the first chapter aren’t answered by the last (this is only Vol. 1), but the story reaches a satisfying conclusion while maintaining enough momentum to make most readers eager for a sequel.

Consideration:

• At one point (p. 157), Ellie is advised to “follow your heart, whatever it tells you is right.” I could have done without this piece of contemporary wisdom, which has become a way of defining morality down.
• On the other hand, this thought might be worth discussion: “When the rules are designed to break you, you have to break the rules.” True or false, and how do you know?

Overall Rating: 4.25 (out of 5)

• Worldview/moral value: 3.75
• Artistic/literary value: 4.5

Read more about our ratings here.                 

Also at Redeemed Reader:

• Review: Jessica Khoury is a home school graduate and the author of the Corpus series, beginning with Origin.
• Resource: If fantasy is your wheelhouse, see our Mega Fantasy Booklist!

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