Release date: July 7th 2023
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Pages: 368
Find it on: Goodreads. Waterstones.
Source: I bought a copy of this in my local Waterstones
Rating: 3/5 stars

Synopsis

Her Dark Wings is a modern-day take on the Persephone myth, infused with the intense potency of teenage passions. The richness of Greek myth is vividly brought to life by the immediacy and originality of a fiery, contemporary drama. And iconic mythic figures crackle and change as a modern girl fills the Underworld with new life.

Exploring the thin line between love and hate, obsession and attraction, friendship and betrayal, this is a breathless and bold story, beautifully told by an exceptional writer. It’s about a girl who realises what she wants and, in getting it, brings soul to a stagnant world, and change to an unyielding god. It’s about life – and hope – blooming in the unlikeliest of places. It’s about being brave enough to release your wings.

Review

Melinda Salisbury’s Her Dark Wings is a fresh and modern day look at the Persephone myth. We follow Corey, a young girl recently betrayed by her boyfriend and best friend. When her best friend unexpectedly dies, Corey sees something she shouldn’t and finds herself trapped in the underworld. Can Corey make it back to her family and will she be the same person when she does?

I really thought this was going to be a five star read for me. Everything I’ve read from Melinda Salisbury previously has been, but this one just didn’t quite hit the mark for me. Salisbury has a really beautiful writing style and that definitely shines through in this story. The story was well paced but the plot did feel a little bit lacking. I had expected this to be an epic adventure in the Underworld but it focused more on Corey and her desire for revenge.

Corey is an interesting main character but she is very unlikeable. She does go through a lot of growth in the tale and the ending is satisfying but overall the story wasn’t what I was expecting it to be. The book does have a really stunning cover and I would definitely be keen to read more from Melinda Salisbury in the future. If you’re a fan of modern takes on Greek myths filled with beautiful writing, this might be exactly what you’re looking for.