Heart of Flames defies words. It is a stunning sequel about the raging fire of obsession, the simmering flames of duty, and full of precious characters. Heart of Flames is a gripping sequel that will only stoke the fire of your love for Sev, Elliot, Tristan, Val, and Veronyka. Pau Preto is a master of multiple perspectives, ending each chapter on a hook, enticing us to keep reading until suddenly the book is finished. Overall, Heart of Flames is about love that borders on obsession, our desires to fix our past mistakes, and our need for transformation. Like phoenixes, in many ways Heart of Flames feels like all of our characters stand at a crossroads. Do we step into the flames of transformation or let our own fears consume us?

These characters in Heart of Flames have my entire heart. It's one of those series where I love them all, even my favorite chaotic problem children. Full of character growth, Heart of Flames allows them to develop. Now that we may have our feet on the right path, it's the challenge of staying on it. To make the commitment every day to either go back to what's easy, who we used to be, or to blaze forward. We are all driven by our desires for connection, for family, or for revenge. The question is if we will let our own desire, our own ambition, swallow us whole.

Once again Heart of Flames is full of world building. Introducing new myths and creatures, the world of phoenixes will entrance you. An important theme of Heart of Flames is the question of whether or not the bonds we have with people weaken or strengthen us. Those we love can be used against us, kidnapped or taken as tokens assuring our cooperation, but they can also inspire us, make us brave, strengthen our own skills. Letting people in is not a weakness and love freely given is worth more than it is taken.

Nicki Pau Preto has done it again. The rich world of Crown of Feathers has made an epic comeback in the sequel, Heart of Flames. From the beginning of the book, I did not want to put it down. The vision that Nicki projects is so vivid that it allowed me, as the reader, to visualize the world with ease.

Starting back in Veronyka's point of view during her training was a great reminder that she is no longer "Nyk", but also that there is this great, romantic tension between her and Tristan. Veronyka must continue to work hard to become a master rider so that she can save her country, heal and protect her people, and stop her sister (aunt?).

Tristan is falling for the girl and trying to balance this romance with being the leader of a patrol. It is always difficult to be the leader and have the girl you care for part of your patrol without showing favoritism. Nicki does a great job of portraying teenage feelings and how intense it can be, but also how easily teenagers crave to be the best of the best in their leader's eyes.

We get chapters in Avalkyra's (Val) point of view! This was so exciting, because it was always a question in the back of my brain what was going through her mind. In the previous book, we find out that Val is actually Avalkyra, a long dead feather queen who tried to rebel against her own country so that she could rule it herself. Val's chapters are a perfect combination of broody, anger, and passion. Val is still trying to get her sister (niece) on her side so that they can rule together.

Anyone remember Elliot? I will be honest and say that for a split second his character confused me BUT Nicki did an amazing job of refreshing my memory of the character. Elliot was the character who decided to spy on the Phoenix Riders, but only because his sister was being held hostage and without the information, she would have been killed. I learned to love Elliot, because he is trying hard to regain the trust and love his brothers and superiors use to have for him before the deceit. Having his chapters was refreshing in the sense that his story was simple, but brought along some great characters such as Sparrow and her many animal friends.

Sev! Oh my gosh my Sev and Kade. In Crown of Feathers, Sev literally walks away into the wilderness and non one freaking knows that happened to him! He disappeared into thin air and I was left to worry constantly about his well being. We find out that Sev is fine (THANKFULLY) and doing sneaky Sev things. Oh and Kade is there too... ;) I loved the romance between these two. It was so awkward and full of that teenage confusion that is completely relatable. I do not want to go into detail incase this review is seen by future readers, just know that Sev is still alive, still amazing, and is helping the Phoenix Riders in the best way possible.

From start to finish I was obsessed with Heart of Flames, just like I was with Crown of Feathers. It is addicting and once you start to read this book, you will not want to put it down. It has everything that is important to reading: Love, Fighting, PHOENIXES, and the absolute best plot twists that I can never see coming.

INCREDIBLE. Nicki Pau Preto has absolutely outdone herself. I loved Crown of Feathers so much, but Heart of Flames has surpassed its greatness. I cannot wait for book 3 and am on the edge of my seat waiting for my finished copy of Heart of Flames to be released in March!

This book was so amazing! I'm so glad I was able to get my hands on a digital arc.

Nicki Pau Preto managed to completely avoid the slow middle book pitfall and now I'm so mad I have to wait so long for the 3rd one.

It picks up pretty much exactly where Crown of Feathers left us and proceeds to take you on a wild adventure. My palms were actually sweating at one point and a slight prickling sensation in my eyes may have occurred.

I will start by saying that Crown of Feathers was one of my top reads of 2019, and maybe of all time. Nicki Pau Preto has created such a fantastical world that just drew me in from the very first quote I read. I fell in love with the characters, the world, the magic, everything, and I could not put the book down once I started. I am so blown away that I got a chance to read a Heart of Flames ARC.

This book gripped me right from the start. It picks up shortly after the events of Crown of Feathers and it is so easy to once again find myself lost within Pyra and the Golden Empire. It focuses on the characters Veronyka, Tristan, and Sev as it did in the first book, with some new and exciting POV’s added in, such as that of Val. It was also exciting to see more of characters such as Sparrow, and to learn more about who Pheronia Ashfire was as a person, and not just how she was seen by others.

The plot of this book is a total, wild, exciting ride. It does not stop for anything, and kept me hooked in right to the very last word. The world building in these books is absolutely amazing. I really felt like I could see the settings Nicki created. She adds so much into the book as well, with bits of lore, history, and documents. I really cannot emphasize how much I love the world she has made for her characters, and for her readers.

The character development in Heart of Flames also deserves a shout out. Veronyka’s change through the book is absolutely incredible. Watching her change from someone afraid of her magic, to someone who could be a warrior queen, was just awesome. It felt so natural and organic too, you could really feel the change happening inside her as the story unfolded.

We also see a lot of development from her sister Val, who has really become a whole other person in this book. She is one of my favourite villains, and while she terrifies me, I cannot wait to see what happens with her next.

I am giving this book a 5 Star rating, because it absolutely blew me away. When I finished it, I was immediately impatient for the next chapter, because that ending was definitely a cliff hanger, and I’m so excited to see what’s in store for these characters.