This book was well written, but not my cup of tea. I didn't connect with any of the characters, I just found myself skimming to see what would happen. I do think the author has promise, and maybe I was just in a weird mood, so definitely read it and see for yourself how you feel!

**Full review to come closer to publication!**

I love that this is a retelling of Russian folklore and I really love how Alexandra Overy captured such a beautiful and magical atmosphere! The pacing was strong overall, although there were a few places here and there that felt slightly more inconsistent than others. The characters, however, were extremely well developed and really made this book shine. I look forward to more from Alexandra Overy!

If you are looking for an enjoyable sapphic YA fantasy, perhaps some angsty sibling dynamics, definitely some relationships you can root for, then look no further than These Feathered Flames.

The book follows the dual POVs of Asya and Izaveta, one the Firebird and one the Queen-to-be. When their mother dies, they are catapulted into positions neither is fully prepared for. The book is part murder-mystery, part a bigger fantasy adventure — while Asya investigates a series of murders, seemingly centred on the Firebird, Izaveta has to hold her kingdom together, despite challenges from the Church and the land losing its magic.

The best part of this book was in its sibling relationship. You can’t help but root for both Asya and Izaveta, despite each often working at odds to the other. You’ll find yourself internally screaming at them to just talk things out and work together because the other option is just a bit too painful (speaking of, though, book 2 is set up to be amazing).

And then there are the romances. I particularly loved the potential for one that grew between Izaveta and Nikov throughout the book, and the ending has me highly intrigued for how that’s gonna go in the sequel.

I spent 2020 not often enjoying the YA fantasies that I read, so I am extremely happy to be able to say I loved reading this one.

This book featured two points of view Izaveta and Asya. Izaveta is to be the next queen and has been taught to be suspicious of others. Asya is the next Firebird, the person who keeps the balance of magic in the country. Being the firebird comes with heavy responsibilities, but Asya just wants to reconnect with her sister.

I really enjoyed the magic system in this world. Especially the place of the Firebird. Being the person who keeps the balance is a hard role and this book does a great job of showing that.

I will say that I didn't really appreciate Izaveta's point of view. Her storyline tended to be a little bit more generic; the princess who has come to power when she isn't quite ready to who has to carefully consider every move. Meanwhile, Asya's place, and point of view, felt more unique in this kind of story. Especially because the two girls are twins.

This book felt really unique in a number of ways; the magic system was interesting, the world-building felt very well-rounded (complete with ride-able bears), and I did enjoy a lot of the side characters. Just overall, the political intrigue felt weak.

The writing/story reminded me of Three Dark Crowns. I wasn't a big fan of it either. I also wasn't a big fan of this author's previous work. So unfortunately, it's a DNF for me at this time. Thank you to Netgalley and Inkyard Press for providing me with an arc.

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book before it was released. I have always been a fan of Russian folklore, so I was excited to read this retelling of "The Firebird". It was a little slow at the beginning, but then it really picked up. I loved watching the character development of Asia, as she struggled to find her place in the world.

I really enjoyed the explorations of the characters in this book and their relationships with one another, especially Asya and Izaveta. I also really liked the world and Russian inspiration. I did find the pacing and action to be a bit slow at times, but overall I enjoyed this book and will definitely read the next one!

I was not expecting to like and especially love this book after seeing some early reviews. The eye catching cover and premise made me want to request this title regardless though. I effing love the cover!! What a complicated but enjoyable book! Twin sisters pushed into other roles, enemies becoming lovers, some trigger warning parts, intrigue, fantasy and so much fire is what is so compelling about this book. I do not even care that is young adult, but it is some heavy themes (trigger warnings: violent deaths of parents, female/female relationship) did not bother me.

There was some drag in the beginning of the book and the epilogue definitely did not tie up all loose ends as should, leaving me to believe there will be a book two, which is needed NOW! The book was also 400+ pages, but I am an ambitious reader and number of total pages has never scared me away from reading anything; it may for others. Once you get past the first 50 or so pages, it picks up. Again, I liked this more than I thought I would and recommend it to people who enjoy fantasy books, this book is jam packed with it.

I will for sure be reading more by Alexandra Overy after this. Please let this story continue!!

Thanks to Netgalley, Alexandra Overy and Inkyard Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 4/20/21

So I wasn't really connecting to this book for the first two-thirds (I think because everything going on in the world lol had me a little distracted and not in the right mood), but that last third, everything clicked into place and I absolutely loved it. I definitely look forward to rereading this and hope that when I do, I click with all of it.

These Feathered Flames didn't catch my interest unfortunately. The premise sounded so promising. I felt that the story lagged and the characters weren't that likable.

I really enjoyed this book and the concept seemed sort of original but I'm sure it's probably been done before. I will be picking up more books from Alexandra Overy in the future.

If you love books that have strong world building, interesting magic systems, retellings, or russian inspired folklore, this might be a great book for you. However, if you are a reader that strongly depends on connecting with the main characters and thrives on character development, this might not be the best fit. The sisters' development and relationships felt really flat in an otherwise interesting and engaging world, which made it really hard to push myself through some of the longer, more drawn out portions of the story. It wasn't a great fit for me, but might be good for someone who puts less of a focus on character based narratives.

Sisterhood is, perhaps, the most complex, inextricable connection one could experience. These Feathered Flames challenges that by placing our twin protagonists in a world hellbent on pitting them against each other.

The magic system involving the Firebird was well-explained, and the concept of the Fading seems promising, but the overall storyline of the first book seemed a bit lacking. I believe chapters 30-40 were my favourite, being fast-paced and cunning, however, most defining events set in motion by, or directly affecting, the two sisters seemed to be glossed over. These scenes required greater emotional depth to truly resonate with and engage the reader. Their magnitude of them was reduced due to how quickly the story moved on from them and how little we were shown their effects on the characters.

As a result, Izaveta and Asya felt like skeletons. Their values, ambitions and loyalties were not fleshed out enough for the reader to root for them or understand them. They felt like zvess pieces themselves rather than actual people we could connect with. The easiest route for reader attachment would have been their relationship with each other but even that was not made personal enough.

Furthermore, the romances were set up for later development but felt bland for the most part. There was not enough there for the loyalty each pairing felt for their significant other to justify some of their actions.

Overall, These Feathered Flames had potential but failed to live up to the potential of its elements.

Rating: 2.5 stars

Great story between twin sisters that are fated for different paths. Will they come back together and reform that twin bond or will they forever be torn apart.

Thank you, Netgalley, for letting me read an ARC of this story!

And what a lovely story it is! Russian fantasy books are so few and far between, so I was thrilled to get my hands on this one! The writing is enchanting, the characters are fascinating, and the plot is so twisty and fun! I also love the idea of sisters as the stars of a story! Their sisterly bond is so strong, I absolutely adore it! And the worldbuilding is just amazing, too! Is there going to be a sequel to this book? Because I really hope so!

With a description like this - Three Dark Crowns meets Wicked Saints in this queer #ownvoices retelling of The Firebird, a Russian folktale - I was prepared to fall hard for this book. But it just didn't happen.

I adore fairytale/folklore retellings and The Firebird seemed like a fantastic choice. The author's worldbuilding was great - a snowy queendom with fading magic, with a court full of intrigue, and The Firebird, both protector and executioner when magic's price isn't paid.

And bears!! People ride bears instead of horses! Absolutely giving me Lyra from The Golden Compass vibes.

I wanted to know more about the magic system and the religion of saints - maybe they'll be more fleshed out in later books but reading this one, I wanted more. How were people supposed to know the price for their magics? Trial and error with your life on the line seems like a dangerous game to play.

The main characters, Itzaveta and Asya are twin princesses tested as children. Itzaveta's chosen to be the queen after their mother and Asya's sent off with their aunt, the current Firebird, to become the new Firebird when Itzaveta is crowned queen.

Both girls suffer from having a cold, distant, disapproving mother/mother figure. So their internal dialogues are full of insecurity, fear, and imposter syndrome.

Once they were reunited, I wanted there to be a shift - finding strength in their bond and their love for each other but nope. Add angst about fearing rejection from her twin to their unending inner monologues of doom.

When faced with lies, betrayals and manipulations, at some point, I wanted them to be honest with each other but nope. Even while they took brave actions, the plot depended on them being full of self-doubt, and not being honest with each other.

So, my love for the world-building and BEARS gave this a 5 but my disappointment at the lack of character growth and a plot depending on their insecurities brought that down to a 3.5.

The premise of These Feathered Flames, centred on the myth of the Firebird, was really interesting. Izaveta and Asya were both well-drawn characters whose actions and adventures held my attention throughout. Some of the side characters also stood out. However, one or two I would have liked to have seen developed a little more. That said, this is the first book in a series, so we may get to know them better in book two. The pacing on the whole was good, and although the book did end in a way that clearly shows there's more to come, it was not such a major cliff-hanger that it left me gnashing my teeth over having to wait a year or more to learn what will happen next. All up, this is a commendable debut work that presents a folklore-inspired tale with LGBT representation that is sure to appeal to YA fantasy fans.

(This review will go live on my blog on 19 April 2021 and I will then share on GR and across social media.)

It took a couple of tries to read this book but once I sat down and gave it a chance I found that I really enjoyed it. The sisters should have just talked to each other but communication and 17 year olds who have been separated by family and powers just makes that difficult.

I was so worried this wouldn’t be the F/F dream that I was hoping for, but it was. I loved the world and the characters that Alexandra has created 🥰. What a lovely book!

I absolutely adored this book. The story was enthralling and the characters were incredible. I am dying for the next book!