If you enjoy Elizabeth Camden books you will love this. It is intricate, unexpected, human, raw, beautiful, and so experiential. I don't know how to properly review this without giving spoilers, here's my best effort:

Suffice it to say, I was not given a copy to give a review. I accidentally picked it up at the library overdrive and devoured it. It tugged at my heart, inspired my own divine mission, and gave me hope that my own idiosyncrasies would not hold me back. It also made me realize how little things I do can sabotage my marriage and family, that I need to have a longer fuse and a listening heart.

I will be purchasing this, going back through and marking all the passages that stirred my spirit and inspired action in me, and I am here to encourage you to read it. Not every book I read gets the privilege of living in my physical library, in fact, out of the 600 or so books I've read in the past year I have only purchased 50 or so. Some I have gotten physically from the library for our homeschool, but they didn't become permanent fixtures. This will.

It starts slow, just like life really is, especially if you aren't into the scientific names of bugs. It's okay. muscle through what seems like normal life and you will be very very glad you got sucked into it up to the very last page, even the author's notes and acknowledgments are worthy reads. I do suggest you set aside a weekend that you don't have much to do, you're not going to want to put it down. Once you've finished you're going to want to get up and do something good. I wish I could see all the lives this book will change for the better.

From the sweet and dreamy love interest, to the immersive settings and soul-stirring themes, this book was one to savour and soak up, and I took my time reading it. I enjoyed following Nora on her journey to India and meeting all the endearing characters and creatures she comes across.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

Laura Frantz-esque in a different time period with a wider world view.

What a stunning debut novel! Duffy's rich, decadent prose creates such a thrilling ambiance. Seriously, she nearly had me swooning over bugs! I did not think I could connect with an etymologist heroine but I was wrong. Nora is a fascinating woman of her time. She's passionate about her future involving more than a suitable husband and nursery full of babies. She's brilliant and competitive and prone to rash actions, thinking things through only once she's in the middle of the aftermath which makes things interesting -- and frustrating -- for all involved, including the reader!

At the beginning of the novel we meet an opinionated, strong-willed Nora. Sometimes, she gives the impression of being stuck-up and aloof in her drive to pursue her education in a male dominated environment. While I found some of that off-putting, I could see where the attitude was coming from. Duffy shows the sharp contrasts in the expectations (or lack of) in 19th century women compared to their male counterparts.

And then there's Owen (did my heart just skip a beat?) Stalwart hero material. So patient and protective and encouraging. Content to embrace the multi-faceted Nora, prickles and all. A couple of reviewers mentioned an Anne and Gilbert vibe to their romance (Anne of Green Gables) which I found funny because that's exactly what came to my mind too. Great minds think a like and all that.

A Mosaic of Wings is a coming of age story that spans continents.It's a journey of self-discovery, shifting thought processes and the hope of new love. Nora's transformation is both exhilarating and terrifying. And she doesn't always get it right but, like us all, she's a work in progress.

"There is a peace here I have never felt before. It feels like a sanctuary hidden deep in the country of a thousand idols. A place where God's fingerprints point to His plan." (p 121)

A breath-taking, complex read.

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.

I found A Mosaic of Wings by Kimberly Duffy to be a delightful read. All about a woman back in the day trying to accomplish what society said she can not and should not. My heart was tugged at the loss of her father who believed in her and encouraged her love of insects and learning. Her mother was sickly and remarried. This caused quite the stir in the story. This author does a great job at drawing you in. I found myself cheering, angered, and emotional with the characters. That is what makes a wonderfully penned story.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A Mosaic of Wings, the stunning debut novel by Kimberly Duffy, is a captivating book that is exceptionally well-written, well-researched, and utterly memorable. From the first page to the last, it carries the reader on a unique journey that touches the heart and inspires the soul. With settings that are truly immersive, characters that are unconventional, and an engaging plot full of surprises, this novel is not to be missed.

Ms. Duffy is a talented writer, and as a new voice in fiction, she adds originality and depth to the historical genre. In A Mosaic of Wings, beautifully descriptive writing appeals to the reader's senses and emotions. Careful attention to sensory details makes sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures vivid and real. From the fluttering of butterfly wings, to spicy lentil stew, to warm air moist with sticky humidity, this book is meant to be experienced.

Through words well-chosen the reader is swiftly transported back into a time of loss, faith, adventure, courage and love.As the story unfolds, the main characters find it necessary to embark on a journey far from home. This journey not only tests them physically, but also provides ample opportunities for self-discovery, healing, and redemption. More than simply leading them to an unfamiliar land and culture, this journey profoundly shapes their hearts and defines their futures.

A Mosaic of Wings is a well-crafted story of faith, perseverance, courage, and love that abounds with thoughtful descriptions that provide a fresh perspective on historical India, entomology, human worth, and God's grace. Adventurous and compelling, this book is relevant, meaningful, and thought-provoking. It is worthy of much praise, and I recommend it enthusiastically.

*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.