Wow. This has to be the best debut novel I've read in recent memory! Phoenixes, war, sibling relationship, rebels, a little sprinkling of romance...what more could you want?

What I really loved was how intricately developed the world was and how rich the history was. The author creates a believable universe that is so compelling I had trouble setting the book down.

Her characters are well rounded, too; I really cared about what happened to the three main POVs. Can't wait to read the next one and see what happens next!

3 stars - This was a pretty solid debut fantasy book, but at the same time, did not <b>wow</b> me.
Things I enjoyed: I really liked how it reminded me of Mulan, I will always be asucker for that specific trope. The friendships were wonderful to read about and I really enjoyed how they developed over the novel. Phoenixes were such an interesting choice for the mythos; I think they added a unique spin on the novel. The characters were also incredibly diverse and I love how important women are within the novel - and showcased both good and bad sides. The additional anecdotes on the world's history were fascinating and I loved the letters between historical figures.

There were also a multitude of things that brought the novel down for me. I think the info-dumping was sluggish at the beginning; there was SO MUCH telling and no showing - often repeating already stated facts over and over again (this happened a lot with the phoenixes' roles among the humans). The writing style was all over the place, sometimes it was lyrical and impactful while other times it was simple and brupt. Additionally, a lot of moments in the novel felt rushed or as though they were happening for sake of convenience (one part occurs at the end where the rest of the troops were outside a door and barged in to back a character up). Those moments felt childish to me and really brought down the experience.

Overall, I had a good time with the novel and I am definitely interested to see where this particular series goes. I think Pau Preto's work will only get better from here! (Also, she's from Toronto so I got to support my Canadian crew).

ARC Copy...promising start of an epic fantasy that felt Eurasian in mood and style. Liken it was mostly female lead in both the main narrative and the history of the phoenix riders and the general world building. The main themes I would describe is legacy, and the bond-ship between either animal and sisters.

I was fortunate enough to meet Nicki Pau Preto at the Cassandra Clare signing last weekend in Vancouver (read kind of accidentally ambushed her on the way out of the bathroom). At the time I was halfway through Crown of Feathers and loving it, and I had to tell her that. She was very kind and gracious, so I'm going to say it was a good thing I was only halfway through the book then. Because I'm pretty sure my reaction when I finished this would have scared the crap out of her. THIS WAS AMAZING!!

Overall this was a solid debut and a fantastic fantasy to sink your teeth into. The story is divided into three points of view. Veronyka—an animage slash shadowmage who wants nothing more than to be a phoenix rider but struggles after being under her sister's thumb for so long. Tristan—a phoenix rider who is trying to be worthy of his position and prove to his father that he can be a good leader. And Sev—an animage in hiding as an empire soldier who battles with figuring out who he is and where he fits in. Primarily the story is told through Veronyka's eyes, with Tristan building upon it and Sev bringing up the rear with his own plot line. This novel is heavy with themes of community and having a place to belong that build and spur this story on.

The world built by Pau Preto is lush and big. A small warning to you that the beginning of this book is quite a bit of info-dumping that could be toned down. One line of dialogue followed by a page of background information was a bit much at times. Looking back though, it proves how expansive this fantasy is. The history, the queens of old, and phoenix riders of lore, the women who carried it all on their shoulders; all of it is absolutely fascinating. There is a thick vein of feminism and sisterhood throughout it all that makes it even more entrancing. I love the concept of phoenix riders in this story and how it was executed. Phoenixes aren't used much, in my opinion, and they were utilized to perfection in this. The magic system seems to be well-thought out and has a lot more to explore in the next book.

I thought this was incredible story-telling. Yes, as I said, it was a wee bit info-dumpy in the beginning, but it balanced itself out and I found myself glad for the information given. However, it is clear that this is a well-thought out tale with a hell of a lot of room to grow. The synopsis mentions a betrayal that splits the sisters apart, and good grief was it crushing. I made the mistake of reading that particular chapter before bed and was left rather distraught on behalf of Veronyka. It had to happen, but wow. You gotta read it to know. This story blew me away in the last half. Plot twists came fast and furious that left me reeling and looking at the certain characters, past actions—the story as a whole, damn it—completely different. A large chunk of the end of the book is devoted to a battle scene, and considering how long it was you'd think it'd be dragged out and boring. WRONG! Everything that happened served a purpose, either for the plot, character development or future twists. It was easy to follow and well written, which deserves a star all on its own.

The "girl pretending to be a boy" trope is one of my absolute favourites, and in looking at my shelf I am shocked to find I don't actively seek out more of these stories. In asking myself why I enjoy it so much, perhaps it's because it makes me feel so proudly feminist to see a girl playing alongside the boys who said she couldn't do it, right under their noses. And more often than not she does it better than the boys, and it makes my heart sing. Or maybe I love it so much because I get to laugh each and every time at how stupid boys are sometimes. Apparently all it takes for someone to pass as a boy for them is a shaved head and no boobs. No one questions the lack of a deep or cracking voice, the no need to shave, etc. Cracks me up every time.

N]icki Pau Preto's "Crown of Feathers" is set in a realm once ruled by warrior queens and their legendary Phoenix Riders. After a dynastic struggle between twins Avalkyra and Pheronia, that fell apart. As the story opens, Phoenix Riders and animages are hunted down.

Readers are introduced to two young fugitives, twin sisters Veronyka and Val, constantly struggling for survival. Val very much rules the roost though, and tries to control her sister's every action - and even thought. They both share the same dream, to become Phoenix Riders.

Val finds eggs and Veronyka, who has a magical affinity with animals, manages to bond with a small phoenix once it hatches. Then Val acts in a way that makes her sister leave her and seek her own destiny. She manages to find a secret enclave of Phoenix Riders, but must disguise herself as a boy, since they don't accept women.

The story develops in both expected - and quite surprising ways. Veronyka grows in her abilities, falls for Tristan, a fellow Rider, and saves the day when the enclave is attacked. But there's more to the back story of these twin sisters than one of them understands. Readers will be left anxious for the next in the series.

Mini review:

Trigger warning: Mention of death and war. Up till the point I read.

DNF

I received this E-ARC via Simon and Schuster Canada and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Crown of Feathers has been getting a lot of buzz and excitement. When I saw it on Netgalley I requested an arc to see what the buzz was about. Unfortunately I didn't enjoy it.

The first few chapters were fairly interesting. There was quite a bit off info dumping but I found it to be useful to understand the world. However it came to a point where I started to get annoyed. There was so much info dumping that it stunted the plot. And it started to get annoying. I also wasn't attached to any of the characters.

I'm not sure if I'd recommend it. It really depends on you're tolerance with info dumping.

I really, really wanted to love this book. Phoenixes? Clashing sisters? Powerful warriors? It had all the ingredients for a fabulous, lush epic fantasy. I had high expectations - and maybe that's why I feel so let down.

First of all, the first few chapters were such an info-dump. I couldn't get into the plot because it was basically a long winded explanation with bits of dialogue in between. I was left with the impression that the characters must have just been standing there staring at each other for ages while a voice over narrator explained various aspects of the world and its history. EVERYTHING in the first third of the book was dampened by the exposition.

Second, the frequent POV shifts were just confusing. I would finally start to feel invested in a character and then be shifted to another character. Usually I don't mind POV shifts, but this felt like too many, too quickly.

Third, the earth-shattering revelation that everyone is so shocked about? I wasn't shocked at all. I realized it by the end of the first or second chapter. Which isn't bad in and of itself, but... just underwhelming. Maybe it was just obvious to me, though.

But worst of all, I absolutely HATED Veronyka. She's touted by others as a sweet, idealistic girl - but I just find her annoying and irrational. Yes, she was betrayed. But she vacillates so quickly between anger and remorse and love and hate and helplessness and determination that it's dizzying. I prefer a slower build up in character development, and frankly, less volatile emotions. In one scene she begs for an explanation and in what feels like two seconds later, she is storming off and refusing to listen.

Now, it's not all bad. It's just not what I expected. I still like the idea of phoenix riders. I still like Val. I still like the magic. And maybe these issues will be resolved in some editing - after all, I'm commenting on an ARC. Here's hoping the second book will be better. I'm guessing it will be, because Nicki Pau Preto writes great prose - and now that the premise has been thoroughly set up, maybe the second half of the story will be much more engaging.

Omg.
I LOVE this book. The world building, vivid descriptions, the compelling and complex characters, the bond between the phoenixes and their riders, romance. It was just perfect.
It's going to take me a while to get over this one.
This is easily the best debut book I’ve read this year. I cant wait to read more from this author!

For readers of Anne McCaffrey, Mercedes Lackey, and Tamora Pierce, this exciting YA fantasy hits all the right buttons. Sentient bonded animals! Evil empire! Rebel forces in hiding! Girl dresses up as boy in order to join group of Phoenix Riders!

The world has been ripped apart by a terrible war between two warrior queens. Now, the Phoenix Riders are in hiding, and two sisters, Veronyka and Val, barely survive as refugees. Val is domineering and overly controlling, and Veronyka must learn to be self-sufficient if she is to follow her dream of joining the Riders.

Preto takes some rather common tropes of YA fantasy and turns them into a compelling, if somewhat predictable, story, although the last few chapters set up what could be a very intriguing sequel. The world-building is impressive, but a bit heavy-handed; the author needs to learn to integrate background information rather more smoothly. I found the “info-dumping” pushed me out of the story rather than moved it along. Overall, though, I would recommend it to a younger YA audience and will look forward to the sequel.

I was provided a copy of this book by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

MAKE SURE TO AT LEAST CONSIDER PICKING IT UP!!! I received this arc, so thank you very much!!! All you have to know is its about two sisters that were ripped apart, and you have to read it to know why!!!