Wings Upon Her Back

A Winged Zemolai, Zenya, after 26 years of service, is disillusioned with being an enforcer in an increasingly fascist state, and when a tragic act of mercy costs her everything, she fights for her life and begins to understand the true nature of her sect, her leader and the gods themselves. Original.
(STARRED REVIEW] “A triumphant debut novel.” —Booklist(STARRED REVIEW] “An absolute must-read.” —Kirkus(STARRED REVIEW] “Intricate and intriguing." —Publishers Weekly(STARRED REVIEW] “Complex and haunting.” —Library JournalIn this gripping debut novel from acclaimed Nebula, Sturgeon, and Locus Award-winning author Samantha Mills, a disgraced soldier fights to make sense of her world and the gods who abandoned it. The Wings Upon Her Back is an action-packed, devastating exploration of the brutal costs of zealous loyalty.Zenya was a teenager when she ran away to join the mechanically-modified warrior sect. She was determined to earn mechanized wings and protect the people of Radezhda, the city she loved. Under the strict tutelage of a mercurial, charismatic leader, Vodaya, Zenya finally 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 brutally cast out and loses everything she worked for. As Zemolai struggles for her life, she is must question her sect, their leader, and even the gods themselves. Award-winning author's taut science-fantasy debut, with five disparate cutures worshipping five sleeping gods — and one mechanically-augmented woman determined to avenge exploitation by the military sectNational marketing plan to include prepublication endorsements from leading authors, review, media outlets, and general publications; online and print features; author events and book launch, Instagram and blog tour; ARC mailings and giveaways; and social media campaign