Broken Wings

by L.-J. Baker

Book Overview

In a magical world where being different is the norm, why must Rye Woods fear for her life if the truth about her hidden identity is revealed? This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1933110554
• ISBN13: 9781933110554
• Release Date: September 2006
• Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
• Length: 300 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.6" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Poignant story about love's reach and bigotry's rot

I think L-J Baker has to be one of the best writers I've read, lesbian or straight. Like her other books, "Broken Wings" is humorous, inventive, fun and poignant. Oh, did I say sexy? That pretty much means it has it all. I really think this book should have won every award there was in this category. I would highly recommend it, if you are looking for an incredibly romantic love story, with mystery, humor and suspense. You won't regret it.

Thoroughly enchanting; fantasy as a reflection of "real" life

I didn't go into this book with too many expectations. Like some, the book description of fairies and dryads and strange flying carpet contraptions made me skeptical about the depth of the story. I had recently read another of Baker's books, "Lady Knight," and enjoyed it immensely, so I was reasonably sure the writing and editing would be top notch, I just didn't know if the fantastical story would grab me, particularly as so much lesbian fiction set in a "fantasy" setting I've found to spend too much time on setting, and not enough on characterization. That is the opposite of this book. If you are turned off by the whimsy of the description, you have deprived yourself of a rich, layered experience, in which the author is able to (with an incredible eye for detail and ability to sketch unfamiliar elements with an economy of words) control the presentation of the issues of classism, slavery, abuse, homophobia, immigration, education, family and love so that while the themes are recognizable reflections of our world, they are not weighed down overly, or preachy in that a certain amount of baggage can also be avoided. These sound like lofty themes, and make this book sound heavy and angst-ridden, it's really not. At the heart of this book is the character of Rye Woods, working as hard as she can, doing the best she knows how in trying circumstances to create and live a life for herself and her kid sister Holly. She's not perfect, but her motivations are so pure, and she embodies such strength of character as life deals one blow after another that she bravely attempts to shake off and move past, that you can not put this book down until you know what happens next, hoping she'll finally get out of her own way, allow those around her to understand, and ultimately triumph. This book is not soft, but is exceptionally sweet and surprisingly filling. Do not miss it due to preconceptions. I was taken by how its themes are reflected in all our lives.

A story for love and imagination

With the blurb as the main background knowledge before reading this book, I found that the story is not the "fantasy" I thought in the beginning. It's even better, because it actually tells a compelling story that can touch your heart deeply. After the meeting at her kid sister Holly's art school, Rye Woods found herself drawn into the beauty of Flora White, a wealthy weaving artist. But there are many things that can hold Rye's feelings. Beside the lack of wealth and the lower social class, Rye is one of fairies, whom most others thought as freak and religious nuts, and, worst, she and Holly are illegal residents living in the United Forestlands. Why did she flee away Fairyland 11 years ago, taking then 5-year-old Holly with her? How was her wings broken? What is Rye afraid of if she and Holly are deported? Through the reading, you begin to understand Rye's fears and love for her sister and Flora. Here Baker brings us a love story dealing with many difficulties that could happen universally. Furthermore, she also extends our imagination to explore the life of these mythical creatures and a fascinating world. No matter what your favorite genres are in lesbian fiction, you shouldn't miss out this.

Fantasy Times Two

This is an absolutely incredible fantasy within a fantasy that should be on everyone's bookshelf. What makes the novel even more amazing is it's from a first-time author, L-J Baker. Baker exhibits an advanced and polished talent usually reserved for more experienced authors and this reader thoroughly enjoyed reading her stuff. The story centers primarily around three characters. First is Rye Woods, a fairy and illegal immigrant who lives her life under the radar. She works several, low paying jobs to support herself and her younger sister, Holly. She sends Holly to a highly-regarded private school and Holly finds it hard to fit in with her wealthy peers. At an art contest/show, a rain-soaked and tardy Rye meets Flora Withe, one of Holly's teachers and a beautiful, talented and well-known artist. Through the trials and tribulations of a new relationship, Rye and Flora deal with not only getting closer, but also deal with the discrepancies in their net worth. Add to the normal relationship issues the fact they also are forced to face Rye and Holly's illegal status and you've got a really nice story. Not only does Baker present a great love story, she also does a wonderful job with the fantastical points. There are fairies, goblins, and all sorts of different mythical creatures. They take the rootway instead of the highway, they drive magic carpets and brooms, and they eat all kinds of interesting foods. My description can't begin to relay how imaginative and engaging this author's writing is. I highly recommend this creative new addition to lesbian fiction and am anxiously waiting Baker's next book.

Delightful, Magical Fantasy

L-J Baker's debut novel, Broken Wings, is pure fantasy and a whole lot more. I did not expect to like this story as much as I did, but it captured me from the beginning, taking me on a delightful and magical ride and teaching me a lesson or two along the way. Simply stated, Broken Wings is about a fairy, named Rye Woods, who has illegally escaped Fairyland with her younger sister. To give Holly a better life, Rye works hard, holding down 2-3 jobs and attending night school. She does all this while trying to avoid the authorities, fearing they may find out who she really is and deport Holly and her. But Rye doesn't count on falling in love with the beautiful Dryad, Flora Withe. Baker melds this sweet and tender love story with the hard hitting issues of class, money, and prejudices. Baker has given us a complex character in Rye Woods. She is fiercely loyal and protective of her sister, Holly, even lying to her about her family history and their past in Fairyland. Yet she is an honest, hard working fairy who struggles to pay for an elite private school for Holly so she can have a better life. Rye focuses all of her energies on Holly so she has little time for anything else. But when Holly enters a school art contest, Rye attends, and this is where she meets Flora, a wealthy and successful artist who is immediately intrigued by Rye. Flora sees beyond the trappings of appearances and finds the beauty within Rye. Rye at first does not understand or accept this love because she is so afraid of Flora discovering her true identity. This conflict is the heart and soul of Broken Wings. Baker's make believe world uses language and imagery that fits flawlessly with the tone of the novel. The metaphors of conformity and having to hide one's true identity are stinging and bold. Baker does not pull any punches as to the real themes of the book, but she carefully and skillfully incorporates these into the plot. This is quite a feat for a first time novelist. Sometimes the prisons we live in have nothing to do with concrete and bars. Broken Wings is a moving tribute to those who have broken free of the chains that restrain them. Kudos to Baker for taking on such a brave task.