The Weight of Feathers

By: Anna-Marie McLemore

Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne, Cynthia Farrell

For 20 years, the Palomas and the Corbeaus have been rivals and enemies, locked in an escalating feud for over a generation. Both families make their living as traveling performers in competing shows - the Palomas swimming in mermaid exhibitions, the Corbeaus, former tightrope walkers, performing in the tallest trees they can find.

Lace Paloma may be new to her family's show, but she knows as well as anyone that the Corbeaus are pure magia negra - black magic from the devil himself. Simply touching one could mean death, and she's been taught from birth to keep away. But when disaster strikes the small town where both families are performing, it's a Corbeau boy, Cluck, who saves Lace's life. And his touch immerses her in the world of the Corbeaus, where falling for him could turn his own family against him, and one misstep can be just as dangerous on the ground as it is in the trees.

Beautifully written and richly imaginative, Anna-Marie McLemore's The Weight of Feathers is an utterly captivating young adult novel by a talented new voice.

©2015 Anna- Marie McLemore (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

Morris Award finalist, 2016

"Narrators Kirby Heyborne and Cynthia Farrell enhance the beauty of the language in this story.... The dual reading reflects the emotional struggles both teens experience as they fight their feelings, and their families, to stay together." (AudioFile)

Definitely not your typical Romeo & Juliet story!

A fantastic and fascinating story of two rival families with traveling circus acts, the secrets that cage each of them, and two teenagers who can never live up to their families' expectations. Beautifully written and beautifully performed by two great narrators. I was immediately sucked in to the lush descriptions and real multidimensional characters. You'll believe in magic, redemption and hope, as well as fish scales and bird feathers by the end!

Meh

There are two reasons this book didn’t make it to my “DNF” list: the first is that I bought it during a 2-for-1 sale and so didn’t pay for it. The second it that where I couldn’t make it anymore, there were only two hours left. The fact that the characters had literal scales and feathers wasn’t super clear right up front and that caused confusion. The author was also super hung up on Lace’s bare breasts, which I didn’t find appropriate in reference to a 16 year old girl. The writing... was fine, I guess. It wasn’t inspiring, but it wasn’t terrible. It was just meh.

A gem of a book

What did you love best about The Weight of Feathers?

So many things; I may need to come back and add to this review when I have more time! For now:
The story drew me in right from the start, and never let me go.
The touches of magical realism are light and beautiful, accentuating the whole without overwhelming the story, and leaving me with beautiful and novel imagery to enjoy long after the story is done.
Lace and Cluck's characters and actions were believable, and I could hardly imagine anyone not caring about them. Their relationship developed in a way which allowed me to believe in their love, and root for them.
The language and dialog are beautiful and moving, yet unaffected and believable -- there is nothing labored or self-conscious about Ms. McLemore's style.
I loved the touches of Spanish and French, and the ways in which these things are part of the flavor of each of the two families.

Amazing!!

This book was amazing. The story hooks you in, and the figurative language and touch of magic is just delightful. Enjoyable love story for all ages. Should be required reading in schools!!!

Meh!

Any additional comments?

I expected more magic, fantasy, something, but it was not there for me. Narration mediocre. Story mediocre. Sorry, guess this was not for me.