
Reach for this book when your teenager feels like an outsider or is grappling with the weight of family secrets and the fear of being truly seen. This lyrical, magical realist novel follows Ava Lavender, a girl born with wings, as she explores the generations of 'foolish hearts' and trauma that define her family lineage. While it feels like a fairy tale, it explores the raw reality of navigating adolescence with a body that others want to label or control. It is a beautiful but intense story that handles themes of unrequited love, grief, and survival. Because of its mature content, including a central scene of sexual violence, it is best suited for older teens and serves as a powerful starting point for conversations about bodily autonomy, consent, and finding beauty in one's own differences.
Themes of generational grief, unrequited love, and social isolation.
A character displays stalking behavior and religious obsession.
Includes a traumatic and graphic depiction of sexual assault/rape.
The book deals with sexual assault, obsession, and historical trauma. The approach is magical realist, blending the literal and the metaphorical. The resolution is bittersweet and realistic regarding the permanence of scars, but hopeful in its depiction of resilience.
A mature 16 to 18 year old who appreciates lyrical prose and is currently navigating the feeling of being 'othered.' This reader likely enjoys gothic fiction and stories about family legacies.
Parents MUST preview the climax of the book (the night of the summer solstice) which depicts a graphic sexual assault. This scene is pivotal and requires a discussion about safety and consent. A parent might notice their child becoming increasingly withdrawn or curious about family history and the 'rules' of love, or perhaps the teen is struggling with body image and feeling like a specimen rather than a person.
Younger teens (14) may focus on the magical elements and the 'forbidden' nature of the romance, while older teens (17+) will better grasp the cyclical nature of family trauma and the critique of religious fanaticism.
Walton’s prose is exceptionally poetic, transforming a story about a girl with wings into a profound exploration of what it means to be human in a world that fears the extraordinary.
The story spans three generations of the Roux family, culminating in the life of Ava Lavender, who is born with physical wings. Living in a secluded home in Seattle, Ava eventually ventures out, seeking friendship and love, only to encounter a pious and obsessed young man who mistakes her for an angel, leading to a tragic confrontation.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a review