Book Review: The Girl Who Grew Wings by Anna Waterworth

Told in alternating POVs by twin sisters Icari and Sephie, we are transported to a place where magical gifts are a rare treasure, those powers belonging to healers, alchemists or embalmers. Whilst Icari was a born healer and it shows in how she harnesses her confidence with it, Sephie has the shock of her life when told she’s an embalmer—because she already has a power, as an alchemist. That wouldn’t be a terrible thing if having two powers were not a crime punishable by death, a secret the sisters keep close to their chests. 

Bonded by heartache and strife, Icari and Sephie use and grow their powers alongside one another. It’s how Icari meets Caszeil, a charming enemy prisoner. But when winged demons rise and kidnap Sephie to the underworld, Icari is devastated and sets out to return her home. She’s not a born fighter as a healer, but for her sister, there’s nothing she wouldn’t do to bring her back. Only a pair of wings, however, could save her twin sister. She turns to Caszeil, the only person that she could trust to help her grow wings, but in doing so he risks everything—including his life—to fly into the face of the devil himself.

Overall, The Girl Who Grew Wings was full of sisterhood, tragedy and devotion, bursting at the seams with golden love and sacrifice, holding my heart so tight as I read pages into the night. I adored the alternating POVs of the twins, especially Icari—I understood her so well and my heart broke for her, and Sephie, with every ounce of strength they mustered to overcome darkness. I don’t want to spoil anything for readers, but Icari and Caszeil . . . my heart aches. I was already a fan of Greek Myth, but this book has solidified just how much I love the genre, and Anna’s story inspired by it. Five stars doesn’t feel enough. A must read.