On a Dark Wing

by Jordan Dane

The choices I had made led to the moment when fate took over. I would learn a lesson I wasn't prepared for. And Death would be my willing teacher.

Five years ago, Abbey Chandler cheated Death. She survived a horrific car accident, but her "lucky" break came at the expense of her mother's life and changed everything. After she crossed paths with Death - by taking the hand of an ethereal boy made of clouds and sky - she would never be normal again.

Now she's the target of Death's ravens and an innocent boy's life is on the line. When Nate Holden - Abbey's secret crush - starts to climb Alaska's Denali, the Angel of Death stalks him because of her.

And Abbey finds out the hard way that Death never forgets.

Genres: Young Adult, Angels, Paranormal, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Fiction, Supernatural

320 pages, Paperback

First published December 20, 2011

About the author

Bestselling, critically-acclaimed author Jordan Dane’s gritty thrillers are ripped from the headlines with vivid settings, intrigue, and dark humor. Publishers Weekly compared her intense novels to Lisa Jackson, Lisa Gardner, and Tami Hoag, naming her debut novel NO ONE HEARD HER SCREAM as Best Books of 2008. Dane is multi-published in crime fiction thrillers and young adult novels and has books in over seven countries. Jordan shares her Texas residence with three lucky rescue dogs.

Reviews

[Giselle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jordan Dane's On A Dark Wing has brought us a unique angel story with original twists. Even if the book didn't give me palpitations, it was an entertaining read full of surprises.

Abbey, our protagonist, is a bit of a brat. I didn't really like her. She's moody, a tad cynical and often come off as immature. She gets mad at her dad for seemingly no reason, which kept me disconnected from her. I didn't understand her reasoning for these "fits", nor did I understand her obsessive behavior towards Nate: Her crush is borderline psychotic. Fortunately, the story is told from multiple perspectives and I greatly enjoyed the other characters - primarily Nate. I found myself longing for more of his POVs when they switched back to Abbey, or the few others we get to meet. Nate's point of view was captivating, intense, and kept me glued to his story.

Set in Alaska, On A Dark Wing has a unique beauty that enchanted me with snowy imagery. I loved the backdrop of the mountain, the snow, even the slush. It has beautifully written scenery that - being from Canada - really pulled me in. Along with the wonderful setting, the unique twists weaved into this story took me by surprise. I was impressed with the originality of some of the revelations. Simply being the Angel of Death is fascinating in of itself, but learning about his abilities and his past was deeply intriguing. I also appreciated how the relationships evolved. They didn't go in the expected, cliché direction for which I was thankful.

With a delightful writing style, Jordan Dane is an author that I will be keeping in my sights. If not for my dislike of our dear protagonist, I would have ended up really enjoying this book. The pace could be a bit slow at times but the multiple POVs kept it interesting and fresh. Readers who like darker themed paranormal stories should definitely give this a try.

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For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads

[Courtney · Rating 1 out of 5]

More reviews at Rondo of a Possible World: YA Book Reviews

Reading this book left a bad taste in my mouth. I had high hopes after reading the synopsis and other reviewers' opinions of the book but I just couldn't like the story line at all no matter how hard I tried.

Getting into the beginning of the book was smooth sailing but when Abbey's character revealed itself in full bloom to the reader I had to back away before I exploded. Let me make this clear: I do not like Abbey Chandler. She blames herself for her mother's death and in return clearly blows up at her father who is in the same position as he is: mourning over the loss of his wife. In my eyes I view Abbey as immature. In the early chapters the reader is brought up into the conversation of Abbey's obsession over Nate Holden. She is borderline obsessed it's crazy, and not to mention she has never spoken a word to him nor does he acknowledge her existence. Next to insta-love, crazy-obsessive protags do not go over well with me.

At first I thought this book was going to be in Abbey's point of view, but then it jumps to Nate's. From there I'm thinking it's going to be a dual teenage POV where you get Abbey's view and Nate's view. Nope! It jumps to Tanner, Abbey's best friend confined into a wheelchair. From there it jumps to Nate's dad, Nate's mom, and my head is spinning from all of these point of views and how recent the jumps between them occur. It's very unorganized, confusing, and unappealing to me as a reader.

Going into Nate's POV bored me to tears. I was expecting a grandeur of action going on during his climb of Denali but all I witnessed was a bland expedition that ended in be turning the other way. There wasn't much for me to connect to and evidently was outshine by Tanner who gave a mile and then some just for Abbey. His dedication, attitude, and just his ability to stand by Abbey made him a true best friend and had me on his side from the very beginning.

Next on what I didn't enjoy within this book was the cyber bullying towards Abbey and Tanner because of who they are. It wasn't really necessary within the plot. Detailing Abbey an outcast was made prominent in the beginning of the book but the cyber bullying just seemed too abstract in terms of what was going on. I don't know if it was suppose to impose dramatic feelings towards these characters or to speed along some where in the rising action but it just didn't do it for me. It just seemed irreverent.

The slow plot progressions have always been hard for me to get through and Jordan Dane did make me climb a mountain to catch a glimpse of On a Dark Wing's ultimately simple plot. Not only did this make it hard to have my attention grasped but it just made me want to skim faster than sit back and read thoroughly.

I wish I could have liked this book I truly do, but there was just so much that made me want to put this book down and never look at the likes of it again. I do hope in future novels that Jordan Dane write, she writes with more of a connection to her audience because out of every character in the book there was only one that I could connect with and truly tie into and it wasn't even the main protag.

[Sarah (saz101) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part Vertical Limit and part Meet Joe Black, comes Jordan Dane's On A Dark Wing. Beautifully written, and set against a gorgeous Alaskan backdrop (seriously, it had me at Alaska), I loved everything about this book... except the main character.

Five years ago, Abbey Chandler survived the horrific car accident which killed her mother. And this girl has major survivor's guilt. Abbey is still haunted by memories of the ethereal boy with gorgeous blue eyes who held her hand in the wreckage. Well, as it turns out, Death hasn't forgotten her, either.

Now fifteen, Abbey has an all-consuming, passionate, earth-shattering crush on golden boy Nate Holden... who doesn't know she exists. Like, literally, wouldn't know her from a bar of soap dressed in jeans and a parka. Thing is, Nate's about to climb Alaska's monster of a mountain, Denali. And Death is watching very, very closely. Abbey and Nate's lives are inextricably drawn together when Death decides watching isn't quite enough anymore. 

On A Dark Wing is told in shifting POV, from Abbey's first person, to Nate, Tanner (Abbey's BFF) and a few other characters' third person. This raise warning flags for you? Put them down. Because it really works. You get to see all the action, from every angle, and oh my goodness, it's amazing. It allows Dane to tell a wholly unique and utterly riveting story, and here's the thing: she can write. In Dane's hands, this is magic. I loved the characters in this book (with one exception)

There were moments in the book that were so very, very beautiful I caught my breath. Others were edge-of-my-seat gripping and frightening. In others my stomach had butterflies. I loved Dane's writing.

Abbey, Abbey, Abbey...
Abbey is bitter, cold and isolated--a lot like the place she calls home. After her mother's death, Abbey is left with a major case of survivor's guilt, and given she was ten at the time, it's really shaped her perception on life. Her mother was the butter to her tiny family's bread, and with her gone, she and her dad don't know how to connect.

Abbey has this 'me and my BFF against everyone else in the world' thing going on. She is quite obviously miserable, but rejects every offer of help and support. She acts like she hates her father, because he doesn't 'get' her, and flies into fits of temper or sulks for reasons I never understood. Here's the thing: I never 'got' her, either. In a book, I need motivations for actions, words, feelings... and something about Abbey's felt off. Aside from vague suggestions she might be suffering clinical depression, I could never quite follow why she behaved and felt the way she did.

But watching Abbey find a way to connect with her Dad over the course of the story, and coming to terms with her grief after five long years, well, that was magic. And ultimately? I liked her, for some reason.

Nate Does Denali:
Fact about me: I love the mountains. I love snow. I love the biting cold of the alpine air, the dead still, and the roaring winds. In Australia, that's one thing, but Alaska is almost a holy place to a skier. No, there's no skiing here, but there are mountains and mountaineering, and here's where my Vertical Limit comparison comes into play.

We get to visit Nate's head as he prepares for, and begins his ascent of Denali (Mt McKinley outside of Alaska). Dane weaves in little facts about the mountain, about mountaineering, about the planning and preparation that's gone into this climb, and I was hooked. I even managed to get my husband to read this bit of the book, and that's a massive achievement.

Nate's point of view gives us a chance to meet him, beyond Abbey's slightly obsessive-creepy crush on him. We get to connect, and care for him as he fights for survival. And Nate is a really cool guy: He loves his family, loves his best mate, and lives the mountains... which basically meant I loved him.

Death:
Death... well Death was... unique. I felt for him--ached for him. You could feel his longing to belong, love, be loved. And I loved how Dane imagined his role in the scheme of things... his guardianship of the souls he carries.

Looking For Alaska:
As I've mentioned, the real winner for me in On A Dark Wing was the backdrop. Dane painted a picture of Alaska so real, so beautiful, and so vivid, I was lost in it. I felt the slushy snow under my boots, I was there with Abbey watching the rippling light of the aurora borealis, and I smelled the crisp mountain air. Everything about this Alaska was vivid, beautifully described, and so, so real.

The Verdict:
Almost despite myself, I loved this book. I loved every minute of reading it, even if I can't reconcile my Abbey-issues with how very much I enjoyed it. On A Dark Wing is beautifully written. It's intriguing. It's set against the most incredibly gorgeous backdrop imaginable. At times it was exhilarating and exciting, at others quiet, sweet and sad. It just... worked for me. I want more. Now!

On A Dark Wing was kindly provided by Harlequin TEEN via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

[Literary Ames · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm torn. There are some brilliant aspects to this book but it was dreadfully slow. I dragged myself through because after figuring out the Meet Joe Black angle I was curious to know if it would end the same way. It didn't. Actually, it took an unexpected yet not unwelcome turn that may not be liked by the masses.

Abbey is excellently portrayed. Her predicament: the ever-present crushing guilt over her mother's death, the growing distance between her and her father, and her misplaced obsession with Nate (the jock who has an obsession of his own with mountain climbing) resulting from her inability to deal with her guilt, wallowing in it instead of moving on with her life. So she imagines this fictitious romantic relationship with him to help her deal with reality. It comforts her. Yes, it's sort of creepy. She was one step away from becoming a full-on stalker but I understood her crush and empathised.

Her only company was her best friend Tanner but she hadn't revealed much about her mother's death and how she felt about it to him. He had his own hang-ups. He'd also been in a tragic accident but he hadn't been so lucky; he was paralysed from the waist down and in a wheelchair. I enjoyed reading Tanner's POV, witnessing how he was treated by others, how his relationships had suffered and the difference in how Abbey treats him. Without pity. She understands how it is for him without even asking.

'Being loners might have drawn us together out of necessity, but it was our friendship that had made us strong enough to come out the other side.'

Kind of reminds me of The Dream-Maker's Magic.

The story is all about Abbey's transition. Realising that she's tired of being unhappy, of pretending, lying and hiding. She wants to live. It's a great message and I liked the method in which it was conveyed, reminiscent of Riders of the Apocalypse. Love, and the selfish versus the altruistic needs, wants and decisions we make based on that love were also expertly demonstrated. FYI, love's a bitch.

"Dealing with guilt and grief doesn't leave much room for anything else. I know about that dark stuff, but one day if you're really lucky, you get tired of feeling bad all the time. It's like a curtain opens and light comes in. First, it's only a sliver. Then more."

However, it's not all smooth sailing. Besides being slow I really struggled to remain interested whenever we joined Nate's dangerous climb up the mountain. Since seeing Cliffhanger as a child I never even contemplated doing something so unnecessarily hazardous. Rescue teams must love those guys. Anyway, when the Angel of Death does his Joe Black thing to Nate I cringed at his interactions with Abbey. Perhaps it was realistic given her crush but the way she sort of accepted not-Nate's behaviour was uncomfortable to read. I wanted her to push harder when she called him on it, which would've sped up proceedings.

Death had been dealt a bum hand, poor guy. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. As powerful as he was he couldn't control everything and he wasn't perfect. He made mistakes. The mythology surrounding Death was intriguing. He's sort of a swallower of souls, holding them inside him for safe-keeping until the day he's the last one to die. But each soul changes him, for better or worse and this is what prompts him to make contact with Abbey. The ravens were a nice touch -suitably eerie.

As for the romance, well this is tricky. How much to say? There are three potential boyfriends, I guess. One from Abbey's past, her present and future. And the most obvious is not the guy Abbey chooses, and I'm glad of this. Some might not be pleased but just this one aspect makes On a Dark Wing unique, for multiple reasons. The resolution at end was well done. I can definitely see people reacting in that manner to such an extraordinary situation although the lead-up to the climax was a little ludicrous.

Would I recommend this to anyone? Well, I didn't hate this book and I wouldn't dissuade anyone from reading it. In fact, I might warn them it's slow but I'd encourage them to read to the end because I think the effort just might be worth it.


***Thank you to Harlequin Teen for providing me with this ebook.***

[usagi ☆ミ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate giving out negative reviews, guys, let that be said. But "On a Dark Wing" was so disappointing that I just can't keep quiet about it. Hell, I couldn't even finish it. Dane had a very interesting story with Death having a crush on a girl, but the way she went about it with the sub-arcs attached was just very...well, convoluted and so much that was in there could have been cut out and spruced up had it had another two drafts or so. Such an interesting main plot, and such a waste.

And we also have a huge case of Twilight Syndrome with our heroine, Abbey. Mainly in the fact that she's very unhealthily obsessed with her crush, to the point where I just couldn't read it anymore. She's mistaking lust with a crush, to say the very least, and she becomes everyone's whipping boy. I understand that she feels responsible for her mother's death and that maybe by letting everyone walk all over her and bully her she feels that it might suffice to make up for it, it was just too sad. So many girls feel this way - they let themselves be passive, walked on, and then we wonder why there are so many bullying-related suicides out there. She could have spoken up, but she chose not to. She could have done something, but she chose not to. In the beginning, with her sharp tongue and voice that seemed far too old for her, I thought that maybe she'd be an active heroine, kicking ass and taking names all the while trying to fend off Death and his crush on her. But no. None of that.

While I applaud Dane for addressing the bullying epidemic, she doesn't give us much of an "it gets better" or "stand up for yourself" message to take away. Then again, I've found that a lot of contemporary YA (even with that spicy subplot of PNR involved) does that. Guys, we're in the 21st century now. Gender roles have changed a whole hell of a lot in a very short time, and this book feels like the main female role trait of being passive and quiet and doing nothing (even if only out of depression and anxiety) was being enforced. We wonder why bullying suicides take place - it's because even though we teach our kids to tell someone, we also give them the double message that even if they do tell someone, nothing will ever change and they're basically screwed. Doubly so if you're not within the social mainstream of your age group. This could have been a chance to reverse that, and it wasn't taken. I've seen another review comparing this to the "Horsemen" quartet by Jackie Morse Kessler and I wanted to flip a few tables. At least Kessler empowers her heroines by making them take action, even if it's not exactly within the character's best self-interest for long-term survival. These two books/series couldn't be more different, especially because Dane does not do what Kessler does, regardless of difference in plots, arcs, and characters.

The only person Dane empowered was her best friend, wheelchair-bound and handycapable - he, at least, tried to talk about what happened with the bullying and tried to find a solution to take down the website that had all of the bullying stuff posted (even if he failed, I wanted to give a standing ovation for him trying). Why didn't our heroine do this? Why retreat into the delusion/obsession of a guy that barely knows you and probably will never return your feelings instead? Fear, anxiety, depression - all of those are acceptable answers, but Dane could have gone beyond the call of duty with Abbey and didn't. And seeing wasted potential like that in any book, especially with YA, infuriates me.

So, this just feels like yet another book in the YA PNR canon that has cases of Twilight Syndrome and another passive heroine. If that's your thing, hey, good for you, and I sincerely hope you enjoy the book - it seems like quite a few have loved this book, and I'm glad that they did. Different strokes for different folks, and all of that. I just wish Dane had done more to give a more empowering message to her readers instead of not.

(posted to goodreads, shelfari, and witchoftheatregoing.wordpress.com)

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

When I first read the synopsis of On A Dark Wing I honestly didn’t know what to expect, and 100 pages in, I also didn’t know what the book was about. Don’t get me wrong, after the initial slow start of the book, it gets VERY exciting and thrilling and I honestly wasn’t able to put it down.

The story is mainly centered around Abbey Chandler, Abbey lost her mother 5 years ago, and she blames herself, there is some guilt she can’t clearly explain but she feels that she cheated her mom by living and her dying. Abbey is considered a weirdo, a loner. She only has one friend, who is in a wheelchair due to an accident he survived when he was 12. She however pines and fantasizes over Nate Holden, who we only know as a guy who loves mountain climbing, and his dream is to climb mount. Denali. Nate was a big part of this book but I honestly didn’t know anything about him, I would have really liked if I knew more about his character, but throughout the whole book I only knew him as Abbey’s crush.

There is a twist in the romance in the story, *spoiler* We all know how much Abbey is in love with Nate and I was rooting for both of them, but towards the end Abbey somehow comes to the conclusion that who she truly loves is actually her friend, and Nate was just an infatuation, I don’t know why the author switched sides, since both showed no interest in each other, but at the end it was a cute romance, I only wished it developed earlier in the book.

Death, has always remembered Abbey from the time he went to collect her mother’s soul when the car accident occurred when she was ten years old. By using Nate, he wanted to get closer to her; you could say he wanted a chance at humanity, but because of his selfishness he is risking the lives of both Nate and Abbey. This is where Nate’s climbing experience turns to a nightmare and Abbey has to finally confront her guilt she had pent up for the last five years.

I really enjoyed Nate’s POV, especially him trying to survive and save his friend when they both got avalanched. I still didn’t learn anything about him, but it was interesting to read about. Abbey was frustrating at the beginning, especially the relationship with her dad, but I get why she treated him that way, she still had to resolve her guilt and problems. I’m glad they finally opened up to each other, while this wasn’t the happily ever after ending, they were on the road to getting there.

Overall the book was slow at the beginning but when the questions I had finally start to get answered, and lives were on the line, I couldn’t put the book down. The book was full on mysterious, creepy, and thrilling at the end. Even though I had some issues with it, overall it was enjoyable and gave me the shivers!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Jordan Dane read was In the Arms of Stone Angels, and I was hooked! I knew I couldn’t wait to read another of her YA novels and was very excited to hear she had a new one coming soon, On a Dark Wing.

The description had me intrigued and curious to see what she would do with it, would it be a love story or would I be left heartbroken. Then when I saw the cover, wow! After reading it, I realized how perfect the cover fit the book. There were times when I was left crying and others when I had a huge cheesy grin on my face. Jordan did a beautiful job describing the setting of Alaska in a way that I felt like I was there; I could almost smell the trees. To me, this book addresses so many topics: bullying, self-forgiveness and understanding, true friends, love verses a crush, and communication.

I really liked how the book went back and forth between Abby, Tanner and Nate. It flowed well and through each story line you could start to piece together how past events affected each person now and how things will change for each in the future. Abby is still dealing with the feeling that her mom dying is her fault which is putting a strain on her relationship with her dad. Tanner was in a freak accident that left him in a wheelchair and is Abby’s best friend. Nate is the popular guy that Abby is obsessed with, though he doesn’t know she exists and is about to embark on a dangerous climb with his dad and best friend, Josh.

On the eve of the last day of school, Tanner reluctantly reveals a site to Abby where they were both victims of cyber-bullying which devastates Abby and fuels her desire to leave with her dad for their cabin before the last day of school. While Abby tries to deal with her mom’s upcoming birthday (the reason her dad takes her to their cabin every year) and the cyber bullying, she has an encounter with “Nate”, though she realizes there is something not quite right about him. While Abby is away Tanner decides he has to do something about the site that caused Abby so much pain and sets a plan in action, which I think is quite brilliant. Through this plan he comes to realize something about his friends and motivation behind making things right for Abby. Meanwhile, Nate is starting his climb up Denali with Josh, his best friend, his dad and others. Nate’s trip takes a dangerous turn and this event allows Death to find out more about Abby, the girl he met 5 years prior.

When I read On a Dark Wing no emotion was left untouched. It is a beautiful story that will make you cry and leave you smiling. I will never think of death the same way again. Once again, Jordan Dane did an amazing job!!

[Anna (Literary Exploration) · Rating 2 out of 5]

More reviews can be found at my blog, Literary Exploration

Honestly, I'm having a really hard time starting this review. I didn't like this book. At all. I didn't like the characters, I didn't like the plot, I didn't like the pace... the only thing I did like was Dane's writing style. She's a fantastic writer, everything is very elegant and descriptive, unfortunately nothing else stood out. On a Dark Wing was a serious let down in all sorts of ways.

The characters are cringe-worthy. Abbey is basically an obsessive psycho who dreams about her secret life with Nate Holden. I mean, I remember having secret crushes on hot guys at school, but I never imagined myself having a different live revolving around them, when I had never even talked to them before! What is that?! Her life basically revolves around what he does. Did I mention they've never even talked?! It was worse than some kind of insta-love. She's also a total jerk to her dad. She blames herself for her mother's death and then basically ignores her dad and yells at him all the time like he doesn't understand. He lost his wife. I think he understands. She's basically just an obsessive selfish over eater and I did not care for her at all. Nate is okay I guess, he's just a mountain climber who gets sucked into some crazy angel crap. Tanner was by far my favorite character. He's so down to earth and selfless, he goes above and beyond for Abbey (who so doesn't deserve it).

The story was so dull and slow I had a really hard time keeping up with it. I don't know why, but I just felt compelled to keep going. Nothing really happens, and some of the plot lines make no sense whatsoever, or are completely unnecessary. I have to admit, Dane's writing is fantastic! Everything is really well-written and the descriptions are really well done. I just wish more of that fantastic writing went into creating a better story! One that didn't bore me to tears!

Overall, I just wasn't a fan of this book. I've seen it around a lot, and I know it's gotten mixed reviews but I tried it out anyways. I definitely wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I really enjoyed Dane's writing style, so I'm definitely interested in reading something else by her, however.

[Katie(babs) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I count this as one of my worst reads of 2011. This book has no rhyme or reason for anything and no real plot that I could find. It was one convoluted mess that made no sense.There is no point to this story at all and I read fan fiction better than this.

Heroine loses her mother in a car accident when she was 10. 5 years later she can't get past it, blaming herself for her mother's death. She's a brooding, unstable girl who has an unhealthy obsession with the hottest boy at school. She's also friends with a boy in wheelchair who's paralyzed. I really don't understand what's the point of the disabled best friend since he doesn't have any real meaning to the overall story They find out they're victims of internet bullying. Why this was so important to the plot, I couldn't tell you why.

The heroine and her father (who happens to be a mortician) go off to the woods in a cabin for a week and that's where she sees some crazy crows acting like the birds from Hitchcock's The Birds. At the same time, her obsession goes hiking with his father and friends up a mountain and he ends up in a precarious situation. An angel comes to him, takes over his spirit so he can go to the brooding girl.

Heroine thinks angel is her obsession and doesn't think it's strange he pops up out of the blue, talking strangely and wanting to kiss her. He's the angel of death and wants her as his mate.

At that part I closed the book, because things were just thrown out there and made no sense. This book has no cohesive plot or any justification or explanation on anything. I just don't get it or how it got published.

[Savannah (Books With Bite) · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading In The Arms of Stone Angel I fell in love with Ms. Dane's writing. Not only did she tell a great story, but gave me a wonderful reading adventure. Death. It's something everyone will come to pass sooner or later. I really like how the plot of the story gave a different aspect to death. Most of the time in books he is always gloomy and well...death. On A Dark Wing, Ms. Dane unfolds of a story of Death never told. One that surpasses anything beyond normal.

What I liked most about this story is the great plot line. I loved it when a new story, out of the box creation is told. Death is not some other thing but a person with feelings. I admit that anything to do with the afterlife always fascinates me. I like how well the story unfolded before the readers eyes capturing the reader from the very beginning. There are several plot twist that kept me on the tip of my toes. I adore the chance at pursuing the character of Death and getting to know his story.

There is not really a love interest but more of an obsession. This is something totally different and new to me. I loved reading and watching the characters grow with more knowledge of what exactly brought them together. I love that Ms. Dane created a great back round history to both characters, making the story much more fulfilling.

If you want a great dark story with something more than just death, read this book. Ms. Dane present the reader with a story that is beautifully written. The ending of the story was beautifully weaved, leaving the reader satisfied. With a great dramatic plot, On A Dark Wing is an fantastic read!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abbey Chandler first met Death five years ago when she was in a car accident that took her mother from her. But Death didn’t claim her then.

She has had to live for years with the memory of that day and the guilt from believing that the accident was her fault. That she was responsible for her mother’s death.

But escaping from Death’s grasp didn’t mean that Abbey was alive. Ever since the accident she’s been going through the motions. Keeping everyone at a distance. Living but not living.

That is until the day that Death decided to come back for her.

***

On a Dark Wing is a beautifully written story about love, loss, sacrifice and learning what it means to be human. This intriguing story, told through multiple perspectives, is moving and heartbreaking but still filled with hope.

Abbey Chandler nearly died in a car accident that killed her mother. And she never really recovered. She felt her mother’s absence from her and her father’s life every single day and she blamed herself.

For years she has pushed everyone away except for her only friend, Tanner Lange, who has also suffered a loss. One that left him wheelchair-bound. And the only other connection she has allowed herself is to a boy, Nate Holden, who doesn’t even know she exists.

As the anniversary of her mother’s death nears, she and her father head to their cabin in the woods to pay tribute to her memory. And it is in these woods that she meets a boy who claims to be Nate who begins to break down the walls she’s put up around her heart.

But she’s not sure if she can trust him, especially since he’s keeping secrets. And when Abbey learns the truth of what he’s been hiding from her, she’ll be forced to make a choice about who she should try to save and who she’d be willing to lose.

Author Jordan Dane has taken a wonderfully creative and different approach to death in On a Dark Wing. She has made him human. She has given him a mind and a heart. She has allowed him to think and feel. She has given him the ability to choose. And she has put him in a situation where his choices won’t be easy.

Her heroine, Abbey Chandler, isn’t an immediately sympathetic character, but one who deserves real sympathy. On the outside she’s tough and unlikable but she does have a heart and is willing to sacrifice herself for those she loves. And throughout the story, as she begins to open up, she becomes someone who is not only sympathetic but incredibly likable.

On a Dark Wing is filled with beautifully descriptive passages that will pull readers into this story. And the multiple points of view will keep them connected to it, while giving them a look at just what’s happening not only to Abbey, but to Tanner, Nate and his family.

As the story develops, the tension and suspense continue to build, keeping readers engaged as time begins to run out for Abbey and for Nate, leading up to a climactic end that will leave no one unscathed.

On a personal note:

I expected something very different when I started this book. From the cover and description I imagined this book to be about something dark and sinister. What I found instead was a story that was beautiful and sad, but heartwarming.

There were definite nail-biting moments – really every single second that Nate spent on Denali had me on edge. And the description wasn’t kidding when it said that someone’s life would be on the line. But it was the beautifully written passages about Nate and about Death that kept me engaged and wanting more.

I had an immediate dislike for the main character Abbey. But that changed over the course of the story as she began to open up and let herself feel things, become less closed off and more sympathetic. By the story’s end, I did like her. Very much.

I never in a million years imagined that I’d sympathize with Death. The author made him a very real and very human character and through Abbey’s eyes, I saw him as something more and wanted a happy ending for him.

Well, maybe not happy. He is Death after all. But something not so cold and empty. Something less final. And even though I know what he did was so wrong, I couldn’t help but root for him.

I especially loved Tanner Lange, Abbey’s best friend, and Nate’s family. These characters really helped fill in this story, which might have been one that was too difficult to connect to, with their warmth and kindness and their love for Abbey and Nate.

I loved that the author alternated between Abbey’s point of view, told in the first person, to the point’s of view of Tanner, Nate, Nate’s mother and Nate’s father, told in the third person. These were the characters I loved the most from the start, and being able to see the story unfold from their perspective, and not just Abbey’s, made what was happening all the more nerve-wracking.

The story starts off at a slower pace as it sets up for things to come, but once Nate begins his trek on Denali, it immediately kicks into high gear and I couldn’t read fast enough. I couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen to Nate, why Death was stalking him and just why Death was so interested in Abbey.

And after I learned what I did about Death’s connection to Abbey – which I won’t reveal here – I had no idea how this story could possibly end in any other way than tragedy.

I suppose I should have expected a story about Death to also be one about loss and love and guilt and starting over, but I didn’t. I think I was blinded by the gorgeous cover and eerie tagline – “Death never forgets….”

So, while this story was so completely different than the one I anticipated, it is one that I love, which left me with bitten nails, an ache in my heart for what was lost, but hope for what might come.

***

There were quite a few beautiful passages that really stuck with me. Twelve, actually. But I can’t list them all, or even most of them as they are slightly spoiler-y. Especially my favorite one which is a quote from Death.

But this description of Nate as Abbey sees him is just so perfect. It tells a little bit about Nate and a whole lot more about Abbey.

Even with his back to me, every side of Nate Holden was excellent. I love how his dark hair curled at his collar and he always smelled good, but with a full frontal, his hypnotic blue eyes made me forget to breathe. Whenever he talked, his lips could mesmerize me for hours, too. Being next to him felt like getting sucker punched–and liking it.

[Joy (joyous reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

On a Dark Wing is a story about Abby Chandler’s encounter with Death and Death’s obsession with her soul. On the day that Abby was supposed to die, her mother made a deal to take her place instead. That set up her life-long connection with the Grim Reaper (Death), which incidentally, she was unaware of.

Death seems inescapable in Abby’s life - mostly because she lives in a funeral home. A bit of an overkill, I know, given the theme of this book. But I could honestly say it added to the spooky ambience and main character's obscure personality.

Abby has a whole slew of insecurity issues. To some, she may even come off as a petulant, whiny teenager. But this didn’t deter me from her liking her. The root of all her self-deprecation goes as deep as bearing the guilt over her mother’s death. In some ways, I found it redeeming that she drew strength from her weaknesses; using them as an armor to pad her none-existent self confidence. Abby’s voice come off even more authentic as I got to know her. The workings of her mind read like that of a confused, constantly tortured teen. She has a difficult life at school and even more difficult life at home. Her relationship with her father is, on a good day, strained and contemptuous on a worst day. But what I like was that they never stopped trying no matter how tensed their relationship were.

She got constantly bullied for reasons other than being weird. But she stood up for herself with her sharp mind and equally sharp tongue. She cared so little about being an outcast. Her one and only friend was a boy in a wheelchair who was a constant crusader in her defense. To top it all off, she’s perpetually disgusted with her body. For some readers, she could be considered as the quintessential anti-heroine…but not for me. Her flaws were endless which made her more real and so easy to identify with.

I could never understand how an author manages to convince the reader to root for a romance that in reality, would be next to impossible to come into fruition. Take Nate and Abby. They’re poles apart. The unobtainable and the loser. I wish Nate’s character wasn’t so one dimensional – because perhaps, I could’ve developed a fondness for this pairing. Abby was entirely obsessed with Nate; so much so that she has created a Nateworld in her head. I’m trying to remember how I was at Abby’s age and yeah. I get it. To love someone so out of your reach to the point of spending every waking and sleeping moments thinking about that person isn’t really healthy but I understood where she was coming from. I’ve been there. But like I said, I just wish I knew WHY. What is it about Nate? In the end, I never really got to know Nate. Cryptic, much? My main issue with this is that there was such a huge build up over this one-sided romance. In the end…well…I was a deflated balloon. BUT! But. I liked the EVENTUAL ROMANCE in this book.

I’m also a bit put off with the multi-person POV. Call me simple, but when I read, I like focusing on one person’s take on the story. I like having that nagging feeling of not knowing what the other character was going through. (I could never begin to explain why I loved Melina Marchetta’s multi-person POV…and I’m not even going to try). I am also not a fan of switching from first person to third. It tells me that the author is unable to give each person their unique voices, hence the switch…but what do I really know?

For the better part of Nate’s POV, I learned that Abby was right. He doesn’t know she exists. He’s only focused on climbing Denali. If you’re not into mountain climbing, being inside his head was, for the most part, boring. You learn so little about him.

Death seems so harmless from someone who brings an end to everything. He sounded more evil in the synopsis than his actual portrayal in the book.
If you ask me, the creepy facets of this book came primarily from the author’s writing. It was in the way she described how it was like to have dead people in the basement waiting for spring thaw so they can be buried. It was in the way a murder of crows seems to appear whenever Abby was alone. It was in the way that Abby’s dreams easily overturn to nightmares. Oh! And the bone-chilling way Abbey found out which Nate has been meeting her every night by the fire pit. *cue scary music*

Now, I know I’m going on and on about the ways this book didn’t suit me but trust me, there were a lot of good in this book.

The tangible unspoken grief between Abby and her father was ubiquitous in every scene they have together. It was painful to watch.

The timeline header for every POV switch added a sense of foreboding menace. It almost felt like watching a movie with the ominous music playing in the background.

I applaud the author for the picturesque depiction of the scenery and of the chilly Alaskan climate. This is a great book to curl up to beside a fireplace on a blustery day or night. Although night would be most ideal for the creep factor.

The plot took forever to get going but when it finally happened, the story moved in an unrelenting heart-thumping sequence.

All in all, On a Dark Wing was a spooky but enjoyable read for me. Despite my complaints, I found the story line to be a novel idea amongst all the other death harbinger books out there.

Thanks to Net Galley and HarlequinTEEN for the ARC.

[Pixie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, I don’t know if I can get my thoughts out coherently about On a Dark Wing. Even long after reading it, I was still thinking about it, wondering what exactly to say. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t as great as I had expected. Truly, do not judge a book by its cover (and that is a gorgeous cover). I think the synopsis threw me off a bit before I started reading actually and instead I didn’t quite get the story I thought I was going to get.

The writing was solid and stunning-- that was a definite given-- and I read through the story so quickly that I surprised myself at my own timing. But there was still just something… off. I think it was the characters. There wasn’t enough there for me to know them, know what I’m saying? I couldn’t understand Abbey’s huge “mind-blowing totally in-love” with Nate despite they had never talked before… and I couldn’t understand Death’s sudden appearance. That was the biggest part. I would have liked more of an explanation for Death. He tells her (while I’m trying to stay as spoiler free as possible on how he does this and what leads to it) that he’d always been watching her, etc. But… why would she just now notice the signs? They’re kind of creepy and glaring, but after five years she only just begins to notice something strange? Wouldn’t it have been more effective if she had went through saying that she had been noticing something everyday during the last five years, and then he appears?

I don’t know.. That could have just been me nitpicking.

Another thing was that she’s fifteen. I don’t have a problem with this. What I have a problem with is that many times I forget that she’s fifteen because her voice and actions make her seem older--more like seventeen or eighteen. I had to go back and remind myself a couple of times that she wasn’t. Normally I like it when a character comes off a bit older than their age, but at the same time, it depends on the situation and the reading-- and here I just wanted to know that she was really fifteen. To add, I couldn’t picture her at all. I knew her likes and dislikes… but I couldn’t picture what she looked like. Was she tall? Short? At one point she says she has “fat thighs”, but what girl doesn’t usually think that? Her dad tells her she looks like her mother… well that would have been fine, if I’d known what her mother had looked like.

So my biggest peeve was the characterization. Generally, that’s usually what I look at the most because I do have a slight obsession with characters and connections. A story can be great, but if the characters are lacking-- then it’s downhill.

It had a lot of character shifts in the story but it still kept me engaged and didn’t lose me so that was good.
What I liked best was having the solid ending and knowing that it was a stand-alone novel with no cheesy set up to try and make an unnecessary sequel. Or at least that’s what I’m hoping. It looks like that way. I also liked a certain romantic element that was added, and worked, other than the other odd obsession that I couldn’t understand in the beginning that Abbey had with Nate. Jordan Dane fixed it toward the end and even though it seemed a little forced at first, the new romantic element added became sweet and beautiful and something I completely triumphed over.

I also liked how there was no religious theme here even though there easily could have been. It was just unique in itself. Death was an ethereal being-- and despite what it shows on the cover, it’s not a tale of a Fallen Angel with a lot of background or any of that.

Full of mystery and suspense… weird and twisted… On a Dark Wing kept me engaged and curious throughout the unique and romantic tale.

3.5 stars!

<3
Pixie

[Jessi · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the final stretch of 2011, HarlequinTeen has brought readers a new angel story that provides enough unique twists to make it stand apart from its many predecessors of the year. Wrought with emotion and intrigue, Jordan Dane has brought new life to the angel tale through a dark examination of life and death. While I overall enjoyed this book, I will say that it didn't necessarily blow me away. There were a few things that didn't really mesh for me and it wasn't the type of book where I found myself truly caring about and immersed in the characters and their world.

When her mother died in a car accident 5 years ago, Abby was left with the guilt and pain of surviving that same crash. It changed her relationship with her father and those around her. What she didn't realize at the time is that there were even bigger ramifications to her survival. Abby finds out the hard way that Death never forgets a soul that he was meant to collect.

Abby isn't the type of MC that I'm typically drawn to, which made some of the story hard to get through. She's a bit standoffish with her father, acquaintances and even her best friend, Tanner. She struck me as a bit self-absorbed at times, and while some of that can be forgiven through her traumatic past, I would think that she would be willing at this point to let others into her life just a little. Also, her crush on obsession with Nate Holden simply struck me as...odd. I couldn't quite understand her fascination with this boy that she didn't know AT ALL. I get that it's common to crush on the cute popular boy a little. Heck, I did it too. Abby just takes her crush to a whole new level that I really just didn't "get." Thankfully, Abby does develop a lot throughout this novel and make some good decisions--i.e. she grows up a bit. I felt like by the end she was starting to see the good things that she did in fact have in her life that she had been missing/ignoring.

Tanner is awesome. The end. He was easily my favorite character in this book. He's a great friend and so dedicated to Abby. I just wanted to scream at her for basically not noticing him. Seriously, so much boyfriend potential there. And to top it off, he's got a fabulous sense of humor and the brains to go with it. He really "got" Abby and he was always there for her.

While this was a good read, it was a GREAT read, at least not for me. It lacked the character connection that I look for in a great novel. Abby wasn't a character that made me excited to dive back into the story. There were also a few oddities with this novel that I'm not sure how I felt about them, the the main thing was the changing point of view. I understood having some from Abby and some from Tanner and even a little from Nate...but all of the sudden we were getting Bob Holden and snippets from Jackie Holden and it felt like too much. The sections jumped back and forth in small bursts and it interrupted the flow a little for me. So, while I enjoyed this novel and would easily recommend it to fans of paranormal reads and "angel books," it wasn't my favorite this year. The writing is really good, but the characters and pacing didn't work for me.

[Krista (CubicleBlindness Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fell in love with Jordan Dane's first YA book In the Arms of Stone Angels she is the first author that as soon as I finished the book I emailed her and told her how much I enjoyed reading it and then went out and purchased every single one of her other books. When I saw she had decided to continue writing for Young Adults I was thrilled.
I love that she has somewhat of a theme to her books. A emphasis on family and friendship. There is also that little touch of the supernatural that I find intriguing and appealing.
I have to admit I was a little nervous at first getting into the story about which direction it was going to take. There was a lot of focus on Abby's obsession with Nate, a boy at her school who she's been crushing on. Her "crush" was borderline stalker-ish at some points. I really did have some concern that the story would go into a more of a romance direction than a supernatural one. But I was more than pleased as the story progressed. I felt that it had a perfect combination of the two.
I enjoy stories more when I can see some background with the side characters as well. I love getting to know more about the people's whole lives instead of just focusing on the main character and what they are going through. I felt that with this one we get to see that. I felt that I knew who Tanner (best friend), Abby's father, Nate and each of his family members were. There is some shifting of point of views in different aspects of the story we are told parts of it through Nate's Dad when he's panicked and cannot find his son, and through Tanner when he cannot get through to Abby when things start to happen. Through this way of story telling I got to experience more than just one character and got to know each of them better. And the connections to each other felt deeper.
As a person who reads a lot, this type of story telling intrigues me. Because sometimes you just don't connect with the main characters. Although I did not have that particular problem with Abby, it's just such a relief for me to get to know the person outside the box. Getting to know other people as well as the main character is refreshing for me and keeps me entertained and enjoying the story. We also get to see who Abby is through others eyes, it gives a whole different perspective.
Even though I never really got why Abby was so fixated on Nate, what was so special about him enough that the Angel of Death also focused on him. But I enjoyed the story very much and loved seeing it all wrap up in the end.
I love that Abby was able to learn something and there was a purpose with everything they had gone through. And especially the idea between her and Tanner. They are what a true friendship really is, and they portray that level of love and care beyond just friendship.
I very much enjoy her writing style. I come away from her books with a different perspective on life, love and family. I hope to see her continue writing for young adults and encourage you to give her a try if you have not yet.

[Book Twirps · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

For the last five years Abby Chandler has had to deal with the loss of her mother to a deadly car accident; an accident Abby feels responsible for. She lives a fairly quiet life, with most of her time spent with her best friend, Tanner, and the other time spent pining over Nate Holden, a guy Abby has had a crush on for years.

Almost five years to the day of the accident, Abby starts to see ravens; flocks of them fly by her house and though she feels she may be imagining things, they appear to be stalking her. Abby puts her fears aside and begins looking forward to the last day of school, hoping to avoid her and her father's annual trip to their cabin to honor the memory of her mother. Abby wants to stay at home and listen in as Nate and his father attempt to climb Denali, a dangerous mountain in Alaska. Abby's plans change when a cyber-bully targets her and Tanner, and she decides she should get out of town to avoid the embarrassment. When Abby sees the ravens again while at the cabin, she can't help but think that something big is about to happen. What Abby doesn't realize is that Death wants something, and she is the only one who can help him, and in the process, he is willing to risk Nate's well-being to get it.

I was sucked into this story from the first paragraph. Not only is the story compelling, but as always, Ms. Dane's writing picks the reader up and places them smack dab in the middle of the action. She not only tells you a story, she effortlessly shows everything, making the reader feel as if they are right there with the characters. Whether it be on the treacherous mountain with Nate, lounging by a fire while the wind and snow blows, or experiencing Abby's first kiss, you feel every flake of snow, every gust of wind and every raw emotion. Another aspect that I especially liked is that even though the book alternates between Abby's first-person POV and third-person, each POV was precise, and the voice distinct. I've read a few books where the narration flips between viewpoints, but rarely do I feel such a distinction. Most times it just feels as if the same narrator is telling the story, but speaking in third-person. That is definitely not the case here.

I loved all of the character's. Abby is a little fireball and her best friend Tanner is not only a hoot, but a sweetheart any girl would be lucky to find. I also loved her portrayal of Death. The grim-reaper is almost always the villain, but Ms. Dane gives him a lot of depth, and you can't help but feel for the dude.

Fan's of Jordan's will not be disappointed in this book, and I, for one, will patiently await her next.

(Review based on an Advanced Reader's Copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley)

[Reading Vacation · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death is everywhere. It can be seen in the ravens in the sky. It can be felt as it shadows those it desires. Death is never far away. And it teaches lessons to those willing to listen.

Death took Abbey’s mother in a serious car crash five years ago. Abbey was in the car too, but she survived. But why? How? Facing a major case of survivor’s guilt, Abbey becomes painfully withdrawn, the object of much teasing and bullying. She also lashes out at her own father, who works as a mortician. Girlfriend is a mess. Her only friend is Tanner, who has sustained serious injuries from an accident he was involved in. There is a sort of kinship between these two. Their close encounters with Death have left them both suffering unimaginable pain.

Jordan Dane has such a wonderful way of bringing Death’s feelings to the surface where they at first smolder and then burn brightly. Death yearns to feel emotions and, in a way, to be alive. To make this happen, Death has its eyes set on Abbey, who it grew attached to five years ago. Creepy! So Death finds a way to get to Abbey and it involves her crush, Nate, who is busy climbing Alaska’s Denali. It is Death’s selfishness that puts both Abbey and Nate in danger.

Abbey’s crush on Nate is off the hook. He is all she can think and talk about. It was maddening at times, because there is so much more to live for than the cute boy. Nate, on the other hand, had his own obsession with mountain climbing. Maybe this setup where they each have their sights set on different goals, is why Death’s plan works so well. Death weaves its way into their lives and brings them together.

With Death front and center in her life, Abbey must face her fears and insecurities. She cannot hide from her past any longer and she must make big decisions. Abbey must face Death head on. She cannot hide any longer. I loved that Death had the power to help bring Abbey back to life. That is, if Abbey was open to Death’s advances.

On a Dark Wing starts out slowly and builds to a dramatic conclusion. Including a majestic mountain setting, this fabulous story teaches lessons about life and death and letting go.

[Kale · Rating 4 out of 5]

From looking at the cover, I thought On a Dark Wing was the next typical fallen angel YA series. Instead I found the book to be a darkly poignant, yet unexpected exploration of loss, longing, and letting go.

Abbey Chandler is a teen on the fringes of popular adolescent society. Nominally notice and best known for her close friendship to Tanner her handicapped sidekick, any other social interaction from her peers comes in the form of ridicule. But that seems fine with Abbey. Ever since she survived the car accident that caused her mother's death, Abbey has been subtly avoiding life. With the great divide ever expanding between her and her father, keeping others at arms length and living more in her head than reality, Abbey's almost fatal experience has left her more of a ghost than dying would have.

Her timely exile to the family cabin leads to a surprise meeting with the guy of her dreams, or so she thinks. Her encounters will force Abbey to deal with her perpetual grief. But the strange visits come at a price, which Abbey can't live with, and it's going to be quite an uphill battle for her to set things right.

All though On a Dark Wing wasn't what I was expecting and the tone of the book much darker and thought provoking than what I was in the mood for, I found myself caught up in it. I think everyone feels like an outcast in some way regardless of social standing, and Abbey embodies that perfectly. She gets so caught up in all the falsities, that she can't see what she has right in front of her. I also thought the comparison between Abbey, who was barely existing in her half life and the other lead Nate, who was in contrast full of life and out there, was wonderful. And Though the book didn't end how I wanted it to, things rarely do in life, which was somehow more fitting.

With serious content set in the unusual framework of the paranormal, On a Dark Wing had a nice symmetry. It was a dark brooding tale of how things fall apart, and yet come back together in the end in unexpected ways.

[Lissa]

This book just isn't for me.

I've read 85 pages and nothing makes me want to come back. I can't even make it to my normal cut-off of 100 pages.

I'm sure people who enjoy young adult paranormal books would find something of interest in this book - I like Abbey's characterisation, her very real worries about school and her body, her friendship with Tanner who is a minority representation we don't see often enough in YA.

However - and I hope if I kept reading that this would change - Abbey's total obsession with Nate doesn't sit well with me. I don't like the POV changing either. I would hope there is a reason why Abbey's is in first person, and Nate and Tanner's are in third person, but I don't want to read on to discover why.

I was feeling guilty about not reading any other books because I hadn't finished this one yet, but the truth is I'm simply not interested. That's no one's fault - it's all a matter of taste.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and it has in no way influenced my review.

[Jess O. (From Jess to You) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"4 out of 5 stars, this novel is thought provoking and has a unique take on dealing with near death experiences. When I first started this novel, I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy it, as it starts out very dark, gloomy, and it wasn't what I expected at all. Nevertheless..."

Read more of this review and TWO TEASERS here: http://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2011/12/blog-tour-review-feasted-on-on-dark.html

[Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten)]

Apr 1st.

After reading her first book In the Arms of Stone Angels, i know this is going to be brilliant!

Jordan was kind enough to give me a little "sneak peak" of this in an message, without really giving anything away, but everything she's told me has me salivating for this.
Can't wait!!

[Darcy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought the premise of this one sounded good. However as I read it, there were parts that annoyed me. I didn't care for Abbey, she was mired down in self-pity for what happened with her mother, which wasn't really her fault. In the end this one wasn't for me.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just started this one tonight and I'm already loving it. Hope it keeps up!

[Cyp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted at A Bookalicious Story.

*3.75 stars* A darkly beautiful, unexpected psychological thriller On A Dark Wing turned out to be. It did shock me, but in a good way.

Abbey and her mom got into a car crash when she was ten, and after the eighteen-wheeler crashed into them and silence descended, a glowing apparition-like boy made up of the sky and animal clouds adrift walked up to her. She felt warmth envelope her as he came closer, and when he stretched out his hand, Abbey almost took it, but then she heard her mother's broken voice call her name. Abbey pulled back, but Death was there to collect one soul, and thus when her mom died and she lived, Abbey took all the blame unto herself.

Now that Abbey's in high school and falling for her school's superstar, Nate Holden, her situation isn't much better. She prefers to keep a low profile, and she's a sort of outcast, what with her dad being a mortician and her living room and basement housing the newly-departed. Her only friend came in the form of the wheelchair-bound boy who was once a sportstar now turned outcast, Tanner Lange.

Abbey's been OBSESSED with Nate Holden for the past forever, and with his big climb up Denali coming up, she can't wait to stalk his progress up the mountain that could rival Everest herself. Tanner is a sort of a computer genius which he termed cyber-banditto, and he managed to snag this radio which could tune into the same frequency as Nate's team's. But Abbey forgot that the time has come for her and her dad to go to this cabin in Healy again to celebrate her mom's birthday and remember her. Well, Abbey throws a tantrum, but she went along in the end.

Strange things are happening aound Abbey and Nate, more so at the cabin in Healy. Ravens are appearing outside their houses, and whenever Abbey's out of her house or the cabin, she feels eyes on her. Usually when time comes for her father and Abbey to go to that cabin, she'll try to spend some alone time at this ridge near the cabin where she and her mother used to go, trying to remember the times before when her mother's smile would warm the peaceful, snow-filled setting. But this time, something's different. This time, when she looks up, dozens of ravens fills the trees surrounding her, and when she looks back, Nate Holden stands there. Why was Nate there? Isn't Nate climbing up Denali right now? Even though she's confused and a little unsure, she befriends him and lets Nate kiss her. But then she finds out that Nate did go climb Denali. But if Nate's in Denali, who's the one that she's spent hours talking to?

And when up on Denali, Nate and his friend gets caught in an avalanche, he's got a real chance at making it back alive, but Death has a funny way of working. And since Abbey's been on his shortlist since years ago and Nate has a special place in Abbey's heart, he has crossed paths with Nate already half-dead in the crevasse where he'd fallen, and Death may not want to let him off his hook that easily...

This review is so long already! Haha, ok, I'll try to keep it as short as I can.

I loved listening to Abbey's voice as she narrates her story. It switches occasionally to Nate's, Tanner's and Nate's mom's POV sometimes, but the majority is still in Abbey's. I loved the way that she was a little sarcastic, but not overly so, a little childish sometimes, but mature in others. Her train of thought and emotions were easily relatable and understandable, being a teenager myself. It was very realistic - her natural defiance/rebellious spirit towards her dad, her obsession over a boy (though I don't have one, but it's still relatable), her sarcasm and witty jokes. Her sarcasm really kicked a punch - it was SO funny! Haha, it made reading OaDW so very enjoyable. Example:

Earlier in the year, [Mrs. Akkerman a.k.a Teacher a.k.a. Akk the Yak] assigned a project to keep a daily journal of everything we learned in her class. I know, sounds lame, right? Well, it was crazy lame. I bought a notebook just for her class and started that journal, but on day one, I got drool on the first page from where I’d fallen asleep. After it dried, I wrote one line.

Fell asleep today. Will try again tomorrow.

By the time I turned in the assignment, every page had the same entry and enough dried spit to keep a CSI team busy for weeks. When she saw my journal, my teacher called my dad in for “a talk.”

......but Mrs. Akkerman ended up giving me a B+ anyway— for doing nothing. I knew other kids had gotten worse grades, despite filling their journals with enough excrement to fertilize the Matanuska valley.

She's not afraid of using a little cuss words here and there, but none too major, and never sounding uncouth or coarse. However there was one part that got a little too sardonic and emo, and her obsession with Nate got a little overboard (dreaming about him talking to and kissing you's fine, but don't do it so incessantly!). But it was just a tiny portion that I thought is negligible in the whole scheme of things.

Furthermore, I loved Dane's writing style, phrasings and diction. It was beautiful and mature in a way I find sorely lacking in many YA and some Adult Fiction novels.

The. Plot. Was. Amazing. And that's probably an understatement, but it was very well-thought of, very detailed, and it flowed like a movie. I can practically see the story playing out in my head! As she switched from Abbey's POV, to Nate's to Tanner's to Abbey's again, it never got confusing and it never dulled the suspense even though we knew things from both ends. It's really weird how she does it; It's like I know who's the "killer/criminal", but I still got so afraid and I still had to second-guess eveything! I thought that I've seen all types of YA, and normally I can pretty much guess the storyline and ending of a book, at least roughly, but I couldn't for On A Dark Wing. At all. It's extraordinary, I tell you. Really amazing.

The only negative point about OaDW is its slow pace at the start and middle portion, and since I'm not a fan of mystery and thrillers, I wasn't enjoying it all that much or overly-excited about it initally. It was only the humor and sarcastic wit of Abbey pushing me on. But I didn't need the push when it neared the three quarters mark. From there, it's heart-pounding action and cool revelation after the other. I LOVED the ending. One of the best I've ever seen. There was closure between the father and daughter, between old friends and new ones, and a beautiful new relationship forms. It was beautiful. Bravo Dane, bravo.

I was expecting a typical YA talking about Angels (suggested by the cover) and human heroine falling in love, lol I really did, but it turned out to be a mix between YA psychological thriller and mystery with tiny hints of paranormal romance (just a teeeensy tiny bit). Dane even addressed a very controversial topic about Death. What happens After? What happens WHEN you're about to make the transition? Other than the slow start On A Dark Wing will keep you glued to its pages and it will induce lots of emotions in you - an example would be fear (yes, I did feel fear. I read it at night and I literally got scared), and another is sadness, then contentment). It is a great book, and one that I will recommend to my friends.

*Egalley courtesy of Netgalley and Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.*

[Gina (My Precious Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this review on the My Precious Blog: thecallawayfam.blogspot.com

ON A DARK WING
BY JORDAN DANE


Publisher: HarlequinTeen (Dec 20th 2011)
Length: 320 pages, Paperback
Format: Kindle Ebook
Source: NetGalley.com
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Series: No
Completed: December 2011
Challenges: 2011 Ebook Challenge



SUMMARY


Abbey Chandler blames herself for her mother's tragic death. After all, if she hadn't missed the bus, her mom would have never been driving her home that ill fated day. Years go by, but Abbey can't seem to let it go, refusing to talk to anyone about her mother or the accident. She distances herself from her father and her peers, becoming a loner, with her only friend being a paraplegic. Secretly, she lusts over the school's popular boy, Nate Holden, a star athlete and a mountaineer preparing to climb, Mt. Denali. When cyber bullies post sexually compromising photos of Abbey and her only friend Tanner near the end of the school year, Abbey bolts to her father's cabin escape. Even though it means leaving her best friend behind to deal with the aftermath, alone. She hates herself, her father and everything about her life. But then something changes, Nate Holden, the guy she's been crushing on suddenly shows up in the town where her father's cabin is. Almost too quickly they become very close, but when he relentlessly keeps bringing up her mother's death, and asking her questions she doesn't want to answer, she realizes something about this situation isn't quite right.

BACKGROUND
(From Jordan's website:) Formerly an energy sales manager in the oil and gas industry, she now is following her passion to write full-time. Jordan and her husband share their residence with an intelligent canine and two cats of highborn lineage. Her hobbies include, travel and fishing, koi wrangling, reading, CSI/Forensics and Fiction research trips, gardening, crossword puzzles, and, before bad knees, golfing and playing volleyball. Jordan Dane's second young adult novel, On a Dark Wing, is a stand alone novel not part of any series.

SETTING PACE AND STYLE


On a Dark Wing unfolds in the icy, cold state of Alaska. Initially, the book starts off quite slow and confusing with three, yes three, separate story lines. Then it rapidly picks up, keeping the reader on the edge of his/her seat almost to the very end. Strangely, though, after the wild ride, the last fifteen percent of the novel slows down again, maybe this is the falling action, I'm not sure? The writing style is unusual, having the narrator, Abbey Chandler tell her story in first person, but then switching perspectives to everyone else in the book, giving their versions in third person. Sometimes the story changed perspectives many times in a short period, making it a little challenging to keep up with all the various points of view.

CHARACTERS AND PLOT


Fifteen year old Abbey Chandler, lost her mother in a tragic car accident when she was only ten. Her life has been difficult ever since. She's angry, blames herself for the accident and afterwards withdraws from her life. Her only friend is a paraplegic boy called Tanner. She and her father are trying to make it in the wake of her mother's death.

Tanner a popular, athletic boy lost the use of his legs in a four wheeler accident. He's a guy who doesn't give up easily, a determined young man and the poster boy for paraplegics. He strives to not let his accident set him back, not ever giving anyone a single reason to pity him. Secretly, he wishes Abbey Chandler would find him more than just a friend.

Nate Holden is Abbey's crush, though, they have never actually spoken, which sets up for a strange premise. Instead, she just stalks him from a distance. He's an athletic young man who throughout the book is making his first climb with his father on the dangerous Mt Denali. His father groomed him for this climb since childhood. With a doting younger sister and a loving mother he's determined to make this climb a success.

RECOMMENDATION


If you are a patient reader who tolerates mysteriously, confusing plot lines, as long as the author ties everything up in the end, then grab your copy of On a Dark Wing. With plenty of action, mountaineering, suspense, paranormal aspects and a little romance, this thriller has something to satisfy probably most any kind of reader.

PERSONAL NOTE


On a Dark Wing is a unique story, where the author merges three completely different story lines into one. It was a book I had a hard time putting down. It was quite the thriller, with a lot of action, mystery and suspense. I craved reading it, yearning to know how the drama unravelling within the pages would play out. In the beginning I was confused, I couldn't see how the relationship between the cyber bullies, the mountaineer and the girl with the dead mom related. It did somehow prevail, managing to ignite my curiosity, despite my initial confusion. About midway through, I became vested. I was very eager to keep reading to see how it would all turn out. For me this read was more of a plot driven one, than a character driven plot.

Themes explored included cyber bullies, dangers of mountaineering, facing death, overcoming handicaps, forgiveness, love, loss and letting go. Surprisingly, this book has a little bit of something for almost any reader. There are even paranormal aspects, dark angels of death to be more specific. However, this is only part of the story, blended in with some contemporary pieces, along with an action packed tale of survival.

My favorite character was Tanner. He impressed me with his positive outlook and determination. I liked that he didn't give up after he became a paraplegic. He's also a great friend to Abbey. Abbey on the other hand, at times could be melodramatic and a over the top. She tended to feel sorry for herself a little too much. I didn't like the way she treated her father, initially. Overall though, I was pleased with her growth as the book concluded.

Speaking of conclusions, the author impressed me with the way she wrapped up this book. You will not find any cliffhangers here. Everything was resolved to my satisfaction. This one also is a stand alone book, not part of any other series, a nice change up for me.



RATING


I had a difficult time taking off more than one half a ring from this thriller. It was an enjoyable read. The deduction is for the up and down pacing and confusion some readers may experience with multiple narratives and switching from first person to third frequently.


4.5 out of 5 RINGS

[Sarahdactyl ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

♥ Find my reviews on Blogger ~ Reviews by Bookish Sarah

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3.5 stars

This book takes place in Alaska. It's mostly narrated by Abbey in 1st-person, but there are multiple 3rd-person narratives as well.

Abbey is our protagonist. She is just your average high school gal. She's pretty cynical though, and this stems from losing her mother in a tragic car wreck 5 years prior (one in which Abbey almost died herself). She blames herself and doesn't seem to know how to channel her feelings or her grief. She is an outcast at school, anchored only by her best friend Tanner - who has dealt with a loss of his own; he's wheelchair bound thanks to a 4-wheeler accident when he was younger.

Abbey has an obsession. Nate Holden. He is the pretty, popular boy at school. His goal in life is to climb mount Denali with his father and crew, and his goal is about to be realized.

Abbey plans to listen in, via radio, to the progress of the climb. She has it all planned out with Tanner, but then she gets the news that her dad wants to take her hours away to Healy (a place with no cell reception & no phone) to celebrate her mothers birthday. She thinks that, surely, this yearly trip can be skipped just once? Later that same night, a terrible prank aimed at Abbey causes her to beg her father to get the trip started a week early, and he agrees.

Before Abbey leaves, and all through the visit to Healy - she sees ravens. A lot of ravens. They all seem to be following her, watching her. Then she starts having strange dreams about Nate. He's on his trek and ends up being attacked by a huge, winged thing. When Abbey wakes up, she freaks - this dream just felt too real. Then, guess what? Poof! Nate shows up in Healy! He seems a little "off" to Abbey, but she goes with it. They share a kiss, a long chat, and a very strange promise.

A short time later, Abbey finds out from Tanner (via phone call at the local grocery)that Nate and his friend Josh have gone "missing" while on their trek. So, why did she literally just see Nate? Kiss him? Talk to him? Why didn't he mention any of this? What on earth is going on?

Turns out, Nate is in huge trouble - and Abbey is the cause. She has to make a deal with Death (quite literally) to save his soul.

- - -

Complaints:

* Abbey's crush/love for Nate.

Okay, she supposedly has this insane love for him. She hasn't even spoken to this guy! This is prepubescent behavior/thought process. Surely a 16-17 year old girl would know she was just infatuated?! I really feel like this made Abbey seem sort of, well... dumb. Even after they had their encounters in Healy and spent a little time together, I really felt like Abbey was being completely delusional and naïve.

* Abbey's attitude/personality.

I didn't like Abbey at all. I rarely dislike a protagonist. Along with her delusional crush - this girl was bitchy, cynical, sarcastic, and downright mean to her dad. I almost wanted to cry!

* I don't think we got to know enough about Nate. His character was poorly developed.

* It was quite confusing as to who Abbey's love interest really was. I mean, at first I think Nate... then I think it's Death... but then it ends up being Tanner? WHAT?! Are you freaking kidding me?! I liked the outcome, but I so wasn't prepared for that. It pretty much came completely out of the blue. It was just all over the place.

* This looks like a stand-alone novel, but that doesn't seem right. I checked in as many ways possible, but it doesn't look like there is a second book or plans for one. If this is true - I hate the ending. I don't understand how it can be left the way it is. If this is the end, I don't even understand the purpose of Nate being in the story AT ALL. If all the author wanted was to put someone's soul in danger, why not Abbey's father? Or Tanner? Why bring Nate into the story a tall? It's just odd!

What I enjoyed:

* Tanner. He was a really fantastic character. He was humorous, insanely intelligent, patient, kind, adorable... and a really super friend. He did everything for Abbey, everything he could to make her happy.

* The Denali trek. I thoroughly enjoyed the suspense! I think this was my favorite part (or, maybe my second-fave). Seeing Nate try to save his friend, the avalanche, the search party, etc. I enjoy that sort of thing and I think it was portrayed really well.

* Death. The way the author described Death's feelings of lethargy and his (or is he an "it"? *shrug*) need to feel love and be loved - it was sort of heartbreaking. It was something I really enjoyed about the book, something I don't think I have read anywhere else before.

* The pace was sort of weird, but it wasn't dull. I didn't get bored at all, and I always wanted to know what was going to happen next. Nothing sucks more than reading a book and feeling like it's a chore. I didn't get that from On a Dark Wing.

Overall:

This book might confuse you a bit here and there. It might make you say "Huh?", but it is definitely unique and interesting to read. It was an original story and I enjoyed it. :)

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ARC source: NetGalley.com, publisher Harlequin Teen.

[Courtney · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was dreadfully bored the whole time I was reading this. The beginning moved at a snail's pace, then when things had the potential to get good and interesting it just fell completely flat. The climax is underwhelming. The "romance" or whatever you want to call it is only developed in a few paragraphs and then you are just expected to buy it and roll with it. Just no. Uh uh.

[Majanka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abbey Chandler cheated Death, and all she remembers of that fateful day is hearing her mother’s voice for the very last time. From that point on, everything is a blank. But that doesn’t mean that Abbey didn’t spend the last five years feeling guilty over her mother’s death. The accident was her fault. She was the one who purposely missed the bus so her Mom would pick her up. And now all that’s left are the pieces of her life, the broken shell of the man who was once her father, and an overwhelming sense of guilt. Whereas this adds a peculiar and intriguing dimension to the character – we’re all too often greeted by characters who seem to show little emotions towards their parent’s death – and made me feel instantly sympathetic to her, Abbey isn’t a likeable character. While I was reading about her mood swings, which are as common as changing clothes for her, or about how detastable she asks towards her father, I recognized a lot of myself in Abbey. At least, back when I was in the midst of puberty, and struggling to come to terms with the death of my father. Even though my dad died of a brain hemorrhage, and I had no reason whatsoever to feel guilty about it, I did go through the entire guilt phase as well. It may seem irrational, but I think it’s like that for a lot of people who lose one of their parents while they’re still a child, and then when they have to deal with it again through puberty. It was nice reading about a character I could relate to for once.

That said, there are a lot of times when Abbey goes to far, even for my tolerance level. She is obsessed over this boy named Nate. That would be nice and all, if it were for the fact that she actually talked to Nate, was a friend of him, or even had any connection to him. Unfortunately that’s not the case. He doesn’t know her, yet she swoons over him to the point of becoming a stalker, as she and her friend Tanner try to find a way to keep track of Nate’s journey as he goes to climb a mountain. I had my fair share of teenage crushes – although I had most of my silly obsessions when I was thirteen, not when I was sixteen – but this goes a bit far. Very far, in fact.

Let’s talk about Tanner first. Tanner is Abbey’s best friend, and he’s the one supporting this entire story. He’s the only character who actually make sense and contributes something interesting to the book. I liked Abbey up until the point that she proved to be just another brainless teenager in a long line of brainless Bella lookalikes. Tanner is in a wheelchair due to a freak accident when he was younger. An accident that cost him not only his life, but his friends as well, since they soon moved on and forgot all about him. He isn’t a character you’d expect in a young adult book. Not because he’s in a wheelchair, but because he’s actually very mature and grown-up. He’s the voice of reason throughout this entire book. It’s obvious from page one that he has a thing for Abbey, as he tries to protect her from nasty photoshopped pictures posted on a website by one of their class members. He’s a true friend: caring, protective, and always ready to listen and help. Imagine how angry I was when I heard Abbey go on and on about Nate, who she doesn’t even really know, when she had Mr. Right standing next to her, being the best friend possible. I don’t want to spoil anything, but…Let me just say that Abbey might have more brain than I gave her credit for.

Nate is a bit of an odd character. He’s the golden boy, good-looking, friendly, caring and intelligent. But he has the most boring hobby ever, namely climbing mountains. Now I don’t think the hobby is boring in real life (I for one would love to climb an actual mountain one day) but when you read page after page about mountain climbing equipment, preparing the journey and how they struggle through a snow storm, it gets boring soon. There’s a lot of yargon I only half understood. This part is dull, and boring, and I rushed through the pages to go on with the story.

The story itself is enjoyable and the writing is fluent, but it isn’t very original. Girl cheats Death. Death falls in love with her. Death takes over the body of a mortal boy she happens to have a crush on so he can be with her. It sounds surprisingly familiar, but it’s well executed, and that’s what matters. Death actually has feelings, an opinion and genuine emotions. He’s not stereotypically evil. In fact, he’s more of a victim himself than anything else. He wants to be human, but because he’s well, Death itself, he can’t. He wants to experience feelings and emotions, but can only do so when he’s inside Nate’s body.

All in all, I did enjoy On A Dark Wing. I wouldn’t call it my favorite book ever, but it has its strong points and its weaknesses. The characters, safe for Death and Tanner, aren’t that interesting. There’s the cliché love triangle, and the supposed golden boy falls in love with outcast girl cliché. But the bonding moments between Abbey and her father are sweet, the way she’s coping with her guilt is genuine and very well described, and the writing itself is descriptive and powerful. I would recommend this book to all fans of young adult paranormal romance novels.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book, bit hard to understand at times.

[Gabbi Calabrese · Rating 2 out of 5]

http://bookbreather4lyfe.blogspot.com

Actual rating: 1.5

This book had so much promise! A unique concept, a beautiful setting, a creepy synopsis. I wish that I could say I loved this book, but the truth is that I didn't like it at all.

The writing was great. Jordan Dane included marvelous detail that painted vivid pictures in my head of the majestic scenery. Dane seemed to really have her facts straight and know what she was talking about when it came to the mountains and mountain climbing. Although I didn't enjoy this particular book, I'd certainly read more of Jordan Dane's work because of the writing.

However there were just too many things in this book that the fabulous writing couldn't redeem for me.

The book started out with a bang. We're put in a situation that immediately makes you sympathize for Abbey, the main character. It's sad and creepy and even though it's one of those prologues that nobody (myself included) can stand, it still hooked me in. Readers get a feel for Abbey. I thought that she had a very comical voice and awesome snark. But as the novel progresses, all of that gets flushed down the toilet. The plot begins dragging to agonizing slowness and Abbey's snark transforms into a lot of whining. She blames herself for the death of her mother and for making her father unhappy, but she is a total brat to him. Then there's her totally creepy and irrational obsession with Nate. She has never once even had a conversation with the dude, but she has all of these fantasies about him. Sometimes she'll pretend that she's out fishing with Nate rather than her own father. And, before she left for the cabin with her father, she planned on using a radio to listen in while he climbed Denali. It was weird and creepy and I just wanted to shake her and ask WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU!?

Nate, I didn't particularly care for, nor did I dislike him. He was just kind of there. Because even though a lot of this book centers around him and his well-being, we don't really know anything about him. Here is what we learn: he has a best friend named Josh, he likes climbing mountains, he loves his family and especially his little sister Zoey. That's all, really. I couldn't find a single fault with him.

Then there's Tanner, who was definitely my favorite character in the book. He's loyal and determined and so sweet and funny.

I hated how frequently the book would switch points of view. Not just between two characters, but five. Abbey, Nate, Tanner, Nate's mom, and Nate's dad. Five different points of view. And most of the switches came at horrible times and way too often. And, most of the time, it wasn't even important. To me, the majority of it just felt like filler information. I didn't care about Nate climbing the mountain. I didn't care about Nate's mom looking at her kids sleep! It was all irrelevant. That was one reason it was really difficult to connect to any of the characters and to get fully immersed in the plot. I'd be reading, it would get interesting, and then the book would switch to someone else's perspective. It was infuriating! When that happened during the climax, I would have thrown the book against a wall, had I not been reading it on my laptop. Some of the plot was kind of useless as well, such as the whole cyber bullying thing. I'm still not really sure how that contributed to the plot at all, aside from filling up pages.

I hate to say it, but the book was boring. It was slow and unexciting - even at the parts that were supposed to be exciting. I had to force myself to finish the entire thing. I was tempted to just stop reading it during the climax. That's not exactly a good sign. The solution to the problem seemed too quick and actually kind of confused me. The romance was rushed and unbelievable. And everyone's obsession with the fricking birds made me so frustrated. I understand that the birds were a large part of the story, but everyone in the book who saw the birds knew that something wasn't right. Really? Because when I see a bird, I think, Oh look! A birdddddy! Not, OHNOO! BAD OMEN. WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!

I wish I had more positive things to say about this book, because, as I said before, there was a lot of hope for it. But, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.