The Wings Upon Her Back

By Samantha Mills,

Book cover of The Wings Upon Her Back

Book description

[STARRED REVIEW] “A triumphant debut novel.” ―Booklist
[STARRED REVIEW] “An absolute must-read.” ―Kirkus
[STARRED REVIEW] “Intricate and intriguing." ―Publishers Weekly
[STARRED REVIEW] “Complex and haunting.” ―Library Journal

In this gripping debut novel from acclaimed Nebula, Sturgeon, and Locus Award-winning author Samantha Mills, a disgraced soldier fights to make sense of…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

1 author picked The Wings Upon Her Back as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I enjoy a good redemption arc, particularly ones that show more messy mistakes. In this book, Samantha Mills crafts a tight narrative detailing Zenya's fall and redemption as she navigates the complicated choices of her life. The story is told in parallels, each alternate chapter unfolding details of her present or past in complementary ways, revealing Zenya’s character in a way that emphasizes how both have led to her current situation. 

It also pulls no punches. Zenya’s relationships are colored by various forms of emotional abuse, ranging from the neglect of her father to the manipulative grooming of her mother…

Want books like The Wings Upon Her Back?

Our community of 11,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Wings Upon Her Back.

Browse books like The Wings Upon Her Back

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in gods and goddesses, fascism, and murder?

Fascism 73 books
Murder 1,060 books