The Wingless Boy — Jay Amory

Gathered together in this superb value omnibus are the first two books in The Clouded World series. Written by debut novelist Jay Amory, these are fast-paced, thrilling fantasy adventures.

Imagine a city high in the sky comprised of pristine white spires, bathed in glorious golden sunlight - a city above the cloud layer, looking down on the ever-changing cloud formations below. From up here, the worst thunderstorms are little but flashes of light amongst the cloud cover, their force directed away from the cities and the tiny two- and four-seater aircraft its inhabitants use for travel. The world below the clouds may be disturbed, but in the tranquil world above, populated by winged people, life is good.

Life isn't so good for Azreal Gabrielson. He's one of the Airborn too. With a stretch and a beat of their eight-foot wings his people can flit effortlessly around their cities, living a life of airy ease and beauty ... and in this world Az is an oddity, a painfully isolated exception: Az Gabrielson is a wingless boy.

And he's about to be sent on a mission.