“These Feathered Flames is a stunning debut as dark, lush, and captivating as the best fairy tales.”–Nina Varela, author of the Crier’s War duology When twin heirs are born in Tourin, their fates are decided at a young age. While Izaveta remained at court to learn the skills she’d need as the future queen, Asya was taken away to train with her aunt, the mysterious Firebird, who ensured magic … who ensured magic remained balanced in the realm.
But before Asya’s training is completed, the ancient power blooms inside her, which can mean only one thing: the queen is dead, and a new ruler must be crowned.
As the princesses come to understand everything their roles entail, they’ll discover who they can trust, who they can love–and who killed their mother.
Books in the These Feathered Flames duology:
These Feathered Flames
This Cursed Crown
more
This book was super interesting. I found the magic system intriguing but I wanted to know more about it and how it works. I felt like there was so much I was missing because it wasn’t properly explained. I also had a hard time staying in the story. It felt like it didn’t keep me interested. I’m interested to read the next one and see if I understand the magic system better.
If you are looking for a book that is full of tension and intrigue, deceit and betrayal, with a splash of family dynamics and enemies to lovers, These Feathered Flames is a great place to look. This book is highly inspired by Russian folklore, and tells the story of two sisters who were separated at a very young age and brought up in two very different lives. Even with their vastly different upbringings and current circumstances, they remain connected by the bond of sisterhood–but don’t think that their reunion will be an easy one! There’s no doubt the book leaves you wanting more, and I can’t wait to continue to explore the duology in book 2!
These Feathered Flames by Alexandra Overy is the first book in this new series with the title being the same. The stories revolve around twin sisters, who as heirs, have their fates determined at an early age and separated. Izaveta remained home, being trained by her mother the Queen, to learn all the skills required as the future queen. Asya was sent to train with her aunt, Tarya, to learn how to use the ancient power building up in her, to become the Firebird. Though they rarely saw each other, their bond remained very strong. The POV’s switch between both of them.
Izaveta learned quickly how to maintain control, and not let people see the real her; as she spent her whole life in the shadow of her mother, who was a very powerful queen, and always one step ahead of those who may want to dethrone her. Izaveta, was raised to be like her mother, to make people follow her orders and manipulate them.
Asya, though not happy in her role, continued to learn from her aunt, but she feared the power of the Firebird. A Firebird is a powerful being, that monitors those who use spells against the rules, and shifts into this huge bird to make those pay the price for using magic; her aunt who shifts into the Firebird tries to train her when it’s time for Asya to rise into the role. I really loved Asya, as she was sweet and caring, not really wanting the role she must assume; but as things begin to change drastically, she must rise up to save those threatening their lives.
The worldbuilding was very good, but it was a bit slow early on, though that is usually normal for first books in fantasy novels. The majority of the story is set in the castle and on royal grounds of the Queen’s home; especially after Izaveta and Asya, are reunited after their mother’s death. I really did like both Asya and Izaveta, even if they were both different, but when push comes to shove, their bond keeps them close. The political turmoil and unrest will force them to work together to defeat their enemies, with Izaveta pulling an amazing twist. There is also an f/f enemy to lover’s relationship that was briefly started, not explored too much due to the confusing ending.
What follows is an exciting, wild and tense last half of the book, which I was unable to put the book down. These Feather Flames was a fantastic fantasy, with wonderful world building, intrigue, mythology, magic, and two great sisters that were in the forefront throughout it all. I will say that the ending seems a bit rushed, as well as totally confusing. I do look forward to seeing where Alexandra Overy will take us in the next book. I suggest you read These Feather Flames, which was very well written by Overy.
These Feathered Flames by Alexandra Overy is an immersive Russian folk tale retelling that took me on an emotional journey of self-discovery while hanging on to the edge of my seat.
What I Loved
The main characters, twin sisters Asya and Izaveta, held me in their thrall for the entire book. They were both irrevocably scarred by their destiny and upbringing, which provides many layers and textures in their development. I’m not sure that I genuinely liked either sister, but I did feel compassion for their reactions to the cards life had dealt them, particularly Asya, who comes across as more sincere. Whereas Iza, raised by a master manipulator, shows that she learned her lessons well.
I loved the themes of family connection and balance and how they intertwined, playing out in twisty turny ways that still surprise me as I think back on the story. The last third of the book is so shocking that all of a sudden, I no longer felt lost in descriptions and instead sat upright and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. The twist at the very end reminded me of my favorite psychological thriller endings with its feeling of foreboding and even creepiness. I enjoyed this immensely.
I also enjoyed learning more about the Firebird, a fiercely overwhelming defender of the balance between magic and humanity. The role is fascinating, and the telling is so compelling. I could feel what it must be like to be born to such an essential yet terrible destiny. The Firebird’s responsibility means living a life of uncompromising solitude, as for it to be any different would open the door to gray areas that are not part of the Firebird’s world. A Firebird must remain black and white when maintaining the balance that the survival of humanity depends on.
The manner the story is told reminds me of the tone and style of a genuine folktale, and I enjoyed that immensely. It’s very character-driven, as many folktales are, though, at times, the descriptive language took over, and I found myself having trouble seeing the story through the words. Even though I became somewhat lost in the descriptions, they provided what world-building exists.
To read or not to read
If you are looking for an immersive and compelling fantasy story, then look no further. This story will leave you on the edge of your seat and have you anxiously waiting for the next book in the series.
When I was asked to read this book I was immediately interested by the description. It talked of magic, mystery, and murder. All the things I love in a good book. What I did not expect was just how good it was going to be.
Twin sisters separated early in life raised completely different yet bound by their love.
When the Queen dies Izaveta is next to be crowned. However dark forces are at play and when her twin sister arrives newly inducted as the Feathered Flame strange things happen. Can they survive and be sisters again or well one betrays the other.
This book kept me on the edge of my seat. It had so many twists and turns that just when I thought I figured things out it took another turn. I was so captivated by it.
I loved the complexity of the characters. The struggle the sisters faced and how they overcame their things they were raised to believe. If you love a good book with a complex and twisting storyline this is the book to read. I absolutely loved it.
A Russian folklore retelling, These Feathered Flames is an immersive fantasy story with dynamically developed characters. I enjoyed the story of the twin sisters, one who was chosen as the heir to the throne and one who was chosen as the Firebird, a supernatural figure who hunts down and punishes magic users who don’t offer enough to use said magic. Both sisters are unhappy with their lives and envy the other.
Izaveta, the sister chosen to be queen, envies Asya’s freedom as the future Firebird. Stuck under the heartless manipulations of her mother, Izaveta’s life is filled with politics and strategy. Asya wishes she had the opportunity to remain with her family since she has spent a lonely decade training to be the next Firebird. I found this aspect of the story interesting as both sisters slowly realize that each other’s realities aren’t enviable. Izaveta struggles to assert and define herself as a new and young queen. Asya struggles to live up to the expectations of the Firebird, as she doesn’t like what she has to do to others.
Since their mother, the Queen, died under mysterious circumstances, the sisters spend time immersed in political intrigue, which is fascinating. There are nefarious dealings and ever-changing political moves that put the sisters at risk. Neither sister knows whom she can trust, who has ulterior motives, and who is looking out for the best interest of their kingdom, which causes much conflict throughout the story and leads to some epic battles.
The idea of balance is examined repeatedly throughout the story. The kingdom lives in a precarious balance and relies on the unknown to maintain that balance. Izaveta continually struggles to balance her beliefs and desires with the needs of the kingdom, and Asya is repeatedly reminded that her role as the Firebird is necessary to maintain balance in their world.
There is also a great f/f, enemies-to-lovers romance that is great. Slow to trust and even like each other, this couple has a great love story. I enjoyed watching their relationship grow from verbal and physical sparring into something more.
Oh, and did I mention the bears?!? They pet and ride bears! How cool is that?
With lush and vivid world-building, surprising twists, and dynamically developed characters, These Feathered Flames is a great book for people who enjoy YA fantasy. Thanks so much to Netgalley and Inkyard Press for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
These Feathered Flames by Alexandra Overy is such an imaginative novel. As a retelling of the Russian folktale “The Firebird,” the novel has much fire to it, pun intended. The reader does not have to be familiar with the original folktale in order to appreciate this story.
Magic and the Firebird
What makes These Feathered Flames shine is the storytelling. Overy invested in her world-building to make this a strong opening to her duology. Admittedly, it does have a little bit of a slow start as Overy focuses on establishing her strong foundation. Despite having a slow start, Overy gives her story a firm footing, giving the reader a glimpse at the magic and history of the Firebird. This grounds the reader, submerging them in the mythology, the history, and folklore of the land.
The core of the novel and the world is magic. In the land of Tourin, magic flows almost freely. Anyone can cast a spell; it does not have to exist in the blood as with most fiction. However, what makes that interesting is the Firebird and the price of magic. Yes, anyone can cast magic, but it comes with a price. Overy does something different with the fantasy genre, exploring this use of magic and the connection it has to the Firebird. It creates much tension and is compelling because it is something different and unique.
The evolution of the Firebird and its powerful connection to the magic gives the reader something to think about. The Firebird guides the land; it ensures that magic does not run rampant. Nevertheless, people view this mythical being as a monster because they do not understand that magic does need to be kept in check. Exploring this gives the story the bulk of its tension, evolving before the readers’ eyes as the story explores this connection.
An Enticing Story
These Feathered Flames is an addicting novel. Admittedly as mentioned above, the beginning is a little slow because Overy is establishing the world, folklore, but also these characters. Twin sisters who could not be more different, they also grew up in different circumstances. The tension between them grows, as does the various assassinations and political upheaval.
These dynamics pull the reader in, luring them in with strong characterization and political tension. There is so much happening behind the scenes, and it ties the sisters together. However, it also ties the whole story together. All the little elements are essential aspects of the overall plot. All the small moments, they increase the momentum of the story, giving it depth and layers evolving the story, making it so captivating.
These layers make the storytelling engaging. Overy did an excellent job weaving the story together. She weaves the tension into the political upheaval and intrigue of magic so expertly. That is what makes it such a captivating story.
There are also the sisters who are essential in making this story entrancing. They both represent different sides of a coin, highlighted so strongly by their upbringing. Asya is the Firebird and Izaveta is the future queen. There should be strong connection between them, but their time apart had created this wall between them. The story is about their positions as much as it is about who they are. They develop slowly, influencing each other as they seek to break down the wall between them and reconnect. Furthermore, their journey, the way they challenge their inner turmoil, is captivating. The tension surrounding them, this evolution of their personalities, is thoughtful, imaginative, and compelling.
Final Thoughts
These Feathered Flames is such a captivating novel. It is engrossing, thought-provoking, and multidimensional. There are so many layers to the storytelling that give the story entrancing momentum that hooks the reader making this a novel and series worth reading.