Title: Wing Jones
Author: Katherine Webber
Series: n/a
Pages: 384
Publisher: Walker Books
Date of Publication: 5th January, 2017
Source: Gifted
Synopsis from Goodreads: Jandy Nelson meets Friday Night Lights: a sweeping story about love and family from an exceptional new voice in YA. With a grandmother from China and another from Ghana, fifteen-year-old Wing Jones is often caught between worlds. But when tragedy strikes, Wing discovers a talent for running she never knew she had. Wing's speed could bring her family everything it needs. It could also stop Wing getting the one thing she wants.
Series: n/a
Pages: 384
Publisher: Walker Books
Date of Publication: 5th January, 2017
Source: Gifted
Synopsis from Goodreads: Jandy Nelson meets Friday Night Lights: a sweeping story about love and family from an exceptional new voice in YA. With a grandmother from China and another from Ghana, fifteen-year-old Wing Jones is often caught between worlds. But when tragedy strikes, Wing discovers a talent for running she never knew she had. Wing's speed could bring her family everything it needs. It could also stop Wing getting the one thing she wants.
My Thoughts:
I really liked Wing, and she was very relatable. Her perception of fitting in and not belonging anywhere due to her dual heritage was portrayed realistically, and I enjoyed seeing her grow in confidence throughout the book. Her conflicting feelings of first grief and sadness, then anger and frustration at Marcus and the accident were written sensitively and very honestly which was refreshing to read. I thought her relationship with Aaron was good, and developed naturally under the circumstances.
I've seen many reviewers saying that it inspired them to put on their running shoes... But my trainers are still firmly wedged in the bottom of the wardrobe, never to be seen again. I did get her obsession with running and how she thought it would help Marcus, but the elements of magical realism put me off slightly and some of the running descriptions were a bit weird, but I think that's just my personal preference! Also, there's no way that Wing would be able to run for several hours at 3am every night and have no one notice that she's really tired and sluggish during the day cos surely she would have been? I dunno :P
Wing's grannies Granny Dee and LaoLao were my absolute favourite thing about the book. They're hilarious! Their banter and bickering is a joy to read, as are the more serious and touching moments throughout too. Eliza, Wing's running friend, was also really great, and I loved seeing their friendship blossom as the book went on, especially as she had the potential to be more of a nemesis character.
Overall, Wing Jones is a really great read and a fab debut to start off your reading year (I know I'm a bit late with this but just go with me, I haven't written a review in a real long time... ;) ) I look forward to reading more from Webber in the future!
Glad you enjoyed this so much!! I'm currently reading and definitely looking forward to more good stuff to come :))
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