The Wings Upon Her Back

"A fierce, aching battle cry of a book, both cinematically epic and painfully intimate. Mills has crafted a striking world of sleeping gods, disillusioned revolutionaries, and metal wings--and from it, she wrenches equal amounts of love and pain."
--Julie Leong, author of The Teller of Small Fortunes

"A frightening look at the cost of war and unquestioning loyalty against the backdrop of a gorgeous secondary world. Mills perfectly blends real-world horrors with the fantastic in this wonderful novel."
--A. C. Wise, author of Wendy, Darling

[STARRED REVIEW] "A triumphant debut novel. The complex narrative examines the intricacies of blind devotion, self-image, and the hidden motivations behind martial control."
--Booklist

[STARRED REVIEW] "An absolute must-read--to paraphrase a line from the novel, fantasy fans will find themselves in literary heaven."
--Kirkus

[STARRED REVIEW] "VERDICT Mills's debut novel is complex and haunting, filled with beautiful prose and timely themes of political and religious upheaval and personal journeys." --Library Journal

[STARRED REVIEW] This cathartic adventure will stay with readers long after the final page." --Publishers Weekly

"The prose in Samantha Mills'The Wings Upon Her Back is truly incredible. Every sentence beautifully written, her worldbuilding is both refreshing and captivating."
--Charlie N. Holmberg author of Spellbreaker

"A thoughtful, wrenching, and beautifully crafted story of disappointment, failure, and redemption."
--C. L. Clark, author of The Unbroken

"As Zemolai was manipulated and gaslit, so in turn does she try to manipulate the revolutionaries who have captured her, but she slowly comes to recognize the cycle of abuse she's trapped in. Her journey makes for a near-perfect novel that we'll be hearing about for a long time." --Charlie Jane Anders, The Washington Post

"Mills delivers her first novel, and its universal acclaim mark this as one of the most notable debuts of the year." --Parade

"Fast, fun, and set in a brilliant science fantasy world." --Grimdark Magazine

"A gripping, gorgeous exploration of the perils of worshipping gods and humans alike."
--Emet North, author of In Universes

"An intense, astute, and moving tale of redemption, by turns relentlessly grim and courageously hopeful."
--Kate Elliott, author of Servant Mage

"Mills weaves a deft and jagged narrative of choices and consequences, raw and real and heartbreaking, as a girl fights to achieve her goal, and the woman she becomes has to live with the consequences to herself, her family, her society."
--K. Eason, author of The Thorne Chronicles

"The Wings Upon Her Back is a masterful fantasy novel." --Foreword

"A truly innovative world filled with deeply flawed, compelling characters. A thought-provoking and achingly beautiful story of faith, doubt, regret, and redemption."
--Amy Avery, author of The Longest Autumn

"A shatteringly beautiful, harrowing, and glorious tale of faith and disillusionment, violence and redemption. An exceptional book." --Maria Haskins, author of Wolves and Girls

"Mills has created a science fantasy masterpiece, every bit as brilliant and trenchant as copper wings glinting on the horizon." --Wulfe Wulfemeyer, Raven Books

"One of the most original novels I've read in ages." --Book Lovers Boudoir

"A gripping work of science fantasy that explores the themes of fascism, religion, and abusive relationships through the life of one woman." --Ancillary Review of Books

"This is one of the most original novels I've read in ages." --Paperblog

"An impressive debut novel with vivid imagery, compelling characters, and action-packed sentences." --Fantasy Book Cafe

"The Wings Upon Her Back by Samantha Mills absolutely blew me away and has already become my favourite book of 2024!" --A Universe in Words

"A powerful epic of corruption and disillusionment." --Locus

"Fast, fun, and set in a brilliant science fantasy world." --Grimdark Magazine

5/5 stars. "The book I can easily compare it to is Gideon the Ninth. Imagine that level of fascinating and cool. . . . I loved this book." --MI Book Reviews

"This is a wrenching, beautifully written tale of understanding and growth, and loss of faith . . . Highly recommended." --Confessions of a Curator, Editor, Geek