On a Dark Wing by Jordan Dane

On A Dark Wing
by Jordan Dane
from Harlequin Teen
Release date: December 27, 2011
(also my birthday)

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 is with him because of her.

Abbey finds out the hard way that Death never forgets.

My Review:
5 of 5 stars

     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!!