I really did try to read this book on several occasions, but I found myself picking up other books instead. I got about 50% of the way through the story when I decided I wasn't invested in the characters, it wasn't fast paced enough, and the language wasn't flowing and jiving with my head.
This is a story I think some of my YA Fantasy girls would read, but I just couldn't finish it.

The Price Must Be Paid

Excuse me while I go ahead and kick myself for waiting so long to read this book! It was so original and I loved the idea that the Firebird (i imagined looked similar to a Phoenix) kept the balance of magic. But there's a Fading that's weakening the magic & requiring a higher price more and more. I'm really kinda hoping that it's some sort of retelling off a cultural story that I've just never heard of because I want to consume this! This book, the first in multiple, sets everything up well. Yet still has enough of a story where it could've been a standalone book. I love the dynamics of sisterhood vs power. And throw in a little religious uprising/cult-like religious group? You've got the making of a great series!

PS I love that this ARC had an epilogue where the released audio didn't! Felt like a little extra treat!

‘These Feathered Flames’ was action-packed, full of royal intrigue, and kept me on the edge of my seat until the end. A story about the sometimes-complicated bond between sisters, swoony romance and bittersweet betrayal, magic, and a possibly-dying land, this book isn’t one I’ll forget any time soon. I can’t wait to read the sequel!!

***I received an uncorrected proof of this ebook from netgalley in exchange for an honest review***

“I choose my sister.” <i>Even if she might kill me.</i> ”†

Okay, I don’t know how to rate this book. First off, this book does not have enemies-to-lovers. It just has <i>vibes</i>. Now, book 2 might change this, but I was disappointed that the promise of E-T-L remained unfulfilled. To be fair, so many books/series are now described as enemies-to-lovers when they’re really just rivals or, like, have a few mild-mannered arguments. E-T-L is basically just a marketing tagline at this point. I WANT KNIFE-TO-THE-THROAT ENEMIES, DAMMIT! If the two parties don’t consider each other to be their nemesis, then I don’t want it. (Okay, I do want it, but it’s still not enemies-to-lovers.)

Despite being disappointed at the lack of sapphic E-T-L, I did like many things about this book. Alexandra Overy’s writing style was a great combination of straight-forward prose and flowery metaphor. I liked the exploration of a changing sisterhood, even if I found myself wishing for even more Asya/Izaveta interactions. It seems clear they have a long way to go and this is only a duology so I’m nervous. (Did anyone else get Anna and Elsa vibes? Just me? Okay, I’ll show myself out…)

I will absolutely be reading the sequel to this, and paying attention to her future work.

Twin heirs born in Tourin: one is destined for queendom and the other destined to be the Firebird--the counter-balance for the land if magic is ever used. Izaveta remains in the queendom with their mother to learn what it takes to rule while Asya trains with her aunt to become the Firebird once the queen is dead. But when the queen mysteriously dies, Asya and Izaveta reunite to learn who could have killed their mother and how to bring the waning magic back to the land.

This is the first book in the series and Alexandra Overy does an excellent job in building the world of Tourin that includes magic, strategy, and deceit in this Russian-inspired YA fantasy novel. This includes an enemies-to-lovers storyline with one sister and reluctant-falling for another. The sister dynamic and evolution was wonderful to read as they realize how much they have grown and changed since their separation. It was a bit difficult to remember all the characters, but the intrigue was fascinating as the mysteries begin to unspool. Looking forward to book 2!

A complicated story full of political intrigue and sisterly loyalty. Which one will win out?

I was quite surprised with how different this book felt in comparison to reading other young adult fiction books in my experience. The rules of magic seem to still be in development (or I just didn’t catch it), but the consequences of using said magic stayed the same for everyone in the kingdom regardless of status: paying the price to the Firebird. I am looking forward to see what happens in this series and I would love to see how Asya and Izaveta’s journeys continue.

This is a retelling of the firebird folklore.

Two sisters one who be chosen to rule as the queen and the other as the firebird. The firebirds task is to exact the punishment on anyone using magic. When their mother dies, the girls step into their rolls as queen and firebird. This is the first time they have seen each other in many years. Meanwhile someone is trying to stop the firebird from existing now that she is being brought back to court. The girls must figure out who they can trust and who is their enemies.

I really enjoyed the fantasy aspects of this novel. How some people hate the firebird even though its not a role she chose and how others are trying to take the kingdom away from their soon to be queen. The story switches points of views between the sisters so you see two different aspects of the story. The characters themselves are so different even though they are twins and it really adds to the story. Mix in some romantic interests and you have a very dynamic retelling for fantasy lovers.

I have never read the original story but this definitely peaked my interest into reading it so I can see how much has changed between the two.

I am sad to say I was a bit underwhelmed by this book. It might have been a combination of my high expectations and a bit of a fantasy reading slump but this book just felt a little meh to me. I didn’t feel like the relationships were fully fleshed out and developed between any of the pairings, some of the pacing felt rushed and drawn out at different points, and I found myself very confused by the magic system.

However the ending did leave me intrigued enough to pick up the sequel.

Izaveta and Asya are twins born to the queen of Tourin, and their destinies decided at birth. Izaveta is to be the future queen, and Asya to be the firebird, the one who ensures the right price is paid for magic usage in Tourin. When their mother suddenly dies, both twins are thrust into roles they might not be ready for, and need to determine if they have a traitor in their midst. I loved the setting and all the little things that pointed to the Russian influence. I also really enjoyed that the final twist was laid out in the story but also completely unpredictable. Although some of the writing was really rough, the characters and setting shone through as gems. Also, watching Asya and her guard interact and the way it changes their relationship was so much fun.

Beautiful writing and an interesting queer romance helped me get through the slower pace of this novel. I hope the second book is a little faster paced but equally as queer! 3.5 for me with this one, rounded up.

While I love mythological retellings and pretty much any fantasy story, I did not like These Feathered Flames by Alexandra Overy. Not only was it an extremely slow-paced story, but I also could not garner enough sympathy for one of the two main characters to move beyond the fact that she is a terrible person. Plus, the other main character takes way too long to accept her new normal in spite of the fact that she prepared her whole life for it. The whole story is nothing but a nature versus nurture argument with trauma at its core. Between the lackluster characters and a story that builds too slowly, this retelling of the Firebird myth is not something I want to revisit anytime soon.

The mythology in this book is incredible. I wanted to see and learn more about it. Unfortunately, I found myself irritated with the characters in this book for the majority of the time spent reading it,. Their decisions and thought processes felt really contrived and convoluted, so much so that it felt unnecessarily fraught with tension. Overall I felt that both characters made horrible choices all around.

I REALLY like learning about other cultures, and this is just a really well-written book with tons of intense world-building... yet it's based on a well-known Russian folktale! I always read these "strange, new" folktales with the thought in mind that there are entire populations around the world who not only already know that story, but love it.

This in-depth imagining of the folktale as a full-length novel (with sequels!) was really intriguing. It was just a little bit hard for me to follow due to the names of the characters being unfamiliar, but that's my failing, not the author's.

I really, really tried with this book yet I had to DNF it. The writing style just was not for me. There was something about it that just felt off and made all the characters feel very one dimensional.

Wonderful novel full of vivid descriptions, the novel was hard to get into during the first few chapters but as I kept reading I noticed that the author created a slow build that helped me immerse myself in the story.

I enjoyed this retelling of the Slavic Firebird myth and I think it came at an opportune time when so many YA fantasy books seem to be focusing on the sister relationship. This book didn’t have the chemistry between the characters that I usually seek, nor did it have the page-turning addictive pull needed to keep me entranced. I found myself skimming large chunks either because I could predict what was going to happen or I wasn’t invested. I will read the follow up and am hoping it will be tighter because I think the storyline has much to offer.

There were tons of twists in this story. The death of their mother was kind of glossed over at the beginning, and it ended up being part of a twist at the end. Everyone had secrets that led to a fast-paced, exciting ending. It ended on a cliff-hanger, so I cannot wait to read the next book!
This was a great read, with all the twists and turns I just could not put the book down until I had read the whole story, I highly recommend this exciting new fantasy!

Thank you, NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

similar writing style to many of the other fantasy books I have read over the years but thats not a bad thing! It felt like a comfort read with all the crazy and fun action keeping me interested in the story.
I loved the two different sides of the sisters. And their connection with each other even though they had been separated for so long.

The ending is what got me though. I knew something had to twist, and the very last bit is what will have me keeping my eye out for the next book in the series so I can see what happens next!!!

I was not able to do more than skim this one. These Feathered Flames is an LGBTQ retelling of the Slavic Firebird Myth. It follows twin sisters - one of whom is destined to become a queen, and the other of which is destined to be a magic-user known as the Fire Bird. The beginning of the book's pacing is a bit slow, but the world shows promise.

I’m not sure whether or not to give this book a 3 or a 4, as it teeters on a 3.5. I LOVED that it focused on the sisters. Yes there’s romance, but it’s not the focal point of this story. We get to see sisters who have fallen apart but want to come back together again, want to rekindle their sisterly relationship. I was also excited by the idea of fate choosing their futures, as the idea of the firebird is not something we see as often in YA fiction. None of the characters had me SUPER excited, but all of them were still enjoyable and entertaining to read about. I’m excited for the sequel and to see how that ending will be remedied. All in all, a good book, and I recommend!