The Wings Upon Her Back

A loyal warrior in a crisis of faith must fight to regain her place and begin her life again while questioning the events of her past. This gripping science-fantasy novel from a Hugo, Nebula, Sturgeon, and Locus Award-winning debut author is a complex, action-packed exploration of the costs of zealous faith, ceaseless conflicts, and unquestioning obedience.

Zenya was a teenager when she ran away from home to join the mechanically-modified warrior sect. She was determined to earn mechanised wings and protect the people and city she loved. Under the strict tutelage of a mercurial, charismatic leader, Zenya became Winged Zemolai. But after twenty-six years of service, Zemolai is disillusioned with her role as an enforcer in an increasingly fascist state. After one tragic act of mercy, she is cast out, and loses everything she worked for. As Zemolai fights for her life, she begins to understand the true nature of her sect, her leader, and the gods themselves.

A Goodreads Sci Fi and Fantasy Book Club Selection Booklist 2024 Top-10 SF/Fantasy & Horror Debuts Parade Best Sci-Fi, Fantasy, & Horror

"A fierce, aching battle cry of a book, both cinematically epic and painfully intimate." --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." --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

"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." --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." --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." --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

"One of those stories that the more I got into it, the more I felt that every reading would be unique and I need to come back." --Armed with a Book

Samantha Mills is a Hugo, Locus, Sturgeon, and Nebula Award-winning author who has published a dozen short stories since 2018. Her fiction has appeared in Uncanny Magazine, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Strange Horizons, Escape Pod, and others. Mills has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, as well as the Hugo and Astounding Awards. She has a Master's Degree in Information and Library Science, and she is a trained archivist focusing on helping local historical societies and research libraries. Mills lives in Southern California. The Wings Upon Her Back is her debut novel.

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