Alexandra weaves her gorgeous writing into a story, unlike anything you've ever read before. At its heart, this is a story about sisters and the complicated relationship and what it means to hold power. The worldbuilding in this novel is stellar. We have a backdrop of Russian folklore, which is my favorite of all the folklores if I had to choose.


The way Overy writes her differing POV's is so skillful, found myself taking notes. Paired with the court intrigue and the secrets withheld, the tension builds and builds until it reaches a crescendo and leaves you gasping for air. I felt like was in a relationship where I did not know who to trust, but I wanted to I give everyone the benefit of the doubt.

How can I write this review without bringing up the world-building? I love that we don't just have a Slavic aesthetic, but a whole rich culture centering around it, and it warmed my soul. Overy did her research and it pays off.

Sapphic romance, sisterly bonds, twists, and turns...I mean what is not to like?

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Izaveta and Asya, twin heirs born in Tourin, are separated by fate at a young age. Izaveta, chosen to be queen, remains at court with their mother. Asya, chosen to be the next Firebird, goes with their aunt, the current Firebird, to learn everything she needs to maintain magical balance in the realm. But when Asya's power blooms early, it's a clear sign that all is not well: the queen is dead and another must be crowned. Reunited after years apart, Asya and Izaveta must decide who to trust as both race to fulfill their destiny.

From almost the very beginning, These Feathered Flames is packed with suspense. It is a dark story, filled with betrayal, love, and mystery. There is little rest along the way as we follow the sisters' journey to follow their fates, trust one another, and discover what happened to their mother, the late queen. It's one twist after another, but it never feels out of place or overcrowded in the story. Each twist makes perfect sense, whether I saw it coming miles away or was surprised in the moment.

I loved every bit of worldbuilding and found it fairly easy to follow along with the different names of places and people. Some of the characters do fall flat for me, but Izaveta and Asya are not among them. Both are highly dynamic and it was interesting how my feelings towards each changed over the course of the story.

The author really did an amazing job with this story, especially piquing my interest in the folklore behind the Firebird. I will definitely be looking more into the folktale(s) featured in the story as I eagerly await the next book in this series.

Thank you to Inkyard Press for providing me with an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book!

Asya and Izaveta were both interesting characters and I found both of their povs compelling! Their relationship as sisters was the core of the book, and from the very beginning I was invested and rooting for them to be able to reconcile and work together. Seeing them rediscover their childhood closeness, strengthen that bond, and realise how important they are to each other, was an absolute delight. I got a little frustrated with Izaveta at times, more so during the first half of the book, but her thought process was always understandable even if she did occasionally make an incorrect assumption. Of the two of them, Asya’s my favourite. I love them both but Asya’s my favourite. She just wanted to fix things and make things right! I’ve seen Overy describe her as ‘a cinnamon roll who thinks she’s a monster’ and that description is bang on.

A lot of this book’s plot is based around the political intrigue of court. The timeframe of this book is the twelve days between the death of the sisters’ mother, the Queen, and the day of Izaveta’s coronation, and there are a lot of people vying for power during this time. Izaveta has been raised with the knowledge that she would have to deal with all this one day, but she wasn’t expecting to be thrown into the deep end quite so soon, and it does show. Mistakes are made. But she’s still very capable! There’s a running theme of the game zvess, which is the in-universe equivalent of chess, and while Izaveta may not have ever beaten her mother at the game, she’s no slouch at it either.

The romance was pretty low key for both girls, and I liked that. I enjoyed Asya’s slowly developing enemies-to-lovers not-quite-relationship with the girl assigned as her personal guard. It was believable, and their development felt genuine. There were real reasons why they were ‘enemies’ in the first place, reasons that do complicate things between them nearer the end of the book and likely will in the sequel as well, but the process of them growing closer despite those reasons was done really well! Izaveta’s romance was even more of a slow burn, to the point where I’m not entirely sure whether it’s accurate to call it a romance at this point. A lot depends on what direction the sequel goes in, which I’m excited for either way.

The magic system was really interesting! In this book’s world, anyone can do basically anything with the right spell, but every spell requires a price to be paid, in the form of a sacrifice from the caster’s body. How much needs to be paid depends on the spell being cast, it could be as little as a lock of hair or a few drops of blood, but it has the potential to be a lot more. The job of the Firebird is to go after those who cast spells without paying this price, because if such an imbalance is allowed to stand then it ripples outwards and things start to literally fall apart. This system doesn’t make any exceptions for anyone regardless of their age, intention, or extenuating circumstances, and that’s kinda what makes it so intriguing. Just as there are those both in and out of universe who would call it cruel, there are those both in and out of universe who would disagree and would call it fair. It all depends on your perspective.

There’s just one thing that stopped me from giving this five stars, and unfortunately it’s a pretty big thing. A huge pet peeve of mine in books is when the pov character hides something important and relevant, so if they were a real person they would’ve definitely been thinking about it, from the reader, just for the sake of there being a dramatic reveal at a particular point later on. (The exception to this is when the book is playing around with the fourth wall, but this isn’t that kind of story.) This happened twice in this book. The first time was relatively minor, and there was a lot going on at the time, so while I did notice it happening I wasn’t as annoyed about it as I could’ve been. The second time was huge, and put almost all of the book so far in an entirely different context. I would’ve much preferred it if that bit of information had been shared with the reader from the start, and I genuinely think that the story would’ve been more interesting if it had been. Explaining this any further would be getting into spoiler territory, but if you read this book you’ll know what I mean.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I would recommend it! I’d especially recommend it if you enjoy court politics, because there’s a lot of that going on here. I’ll definitely be picking up the sequel when it comes out!

These Feathered Flames is a story about the balance between family and duty, and about two sisters who must find that balance to save their kingdom. I thought that this was a very impressive debut. Both Asya and Izabeta are compelling main characters in their own rights, and I loved their journeys both as individuals and as sisters as they navigate their responsibilities as Firebird and Queen respectively and face all the complications inherent as a result. The worldbuilding in this book was also very well done. I thought Overy did a very good job bringing her world based on Russian folklore to life in a vivid and intriguing way. Although this inspiration for a world has been done before in both YA and Adult Fantasy books, Overy's world proves to be a fresh take on it and I was absolutely entranced with the way she drew me into Asya and Iza's world. The magic system and how it impacts Tourin was also really interesting as well. Overy's writing style was also really refreshing and poignant. Not once did I feel my interest in this book fade. Filled with political intrigue and magic, These Feathered Flames is a stunning debut that is not to be missed, a story of how duty and fate can complicate the bonds between family, and how they can be recovered as a result.

These Feathered Flames is the first novel in a series of the same name, written by Alexandra Overy. If you love it when fantasy meets folklore, then this is the series for you. These Feathered Flames is an LGBT+ retelling of 'The Firebird,' a classic Russian tale.

There is a tradition in Tourin – when the royal line has twins, they must be split up at a certain age. One will become the heir to the throne, will the other the Firebird. In this way, Tourin maintains a balance.

Too bad tradition doesn't much care what Izaveta and Asya want. Izaveta is destined to be the new queen, but she struggles under the shadow her mother leaves behind. All while Asya doesn't want the power – or responsibility - that comes with being the Firebird.

“This is our duty. Not a question of right or wrong, but balance.”

These Feathered Flames was a fast-paced and thrilling read. Honestly, looking back on it, it's difficult to believe that it's almost 500 pages long. It seemed to go by in the blink of an eye. Then again, this book really did have the perfect balance for me.

It has a little bit of everything I love, fantasy, politics, ethics, duty, strong relationships, mystery, and of course, romance. Every theme played an important role in These Feathered Flames. Better yet, it all seemed to weave together to create a complex and richly detailed story.

“To them, you will never be more than a monster that lurks in the night.”

These Feathered Flames is split into two perspectives; Asya's and Izaveta's. As with many a tale, I'm certain that fans will pick different favorites to follow. Personally, I loved the intrigue that came from Izaveta's story, and the passion (and conflict) that originated in Asya's. Two halves of the same whole.

I'll admit that I have not read or heard the Firebird, so I can't comment on how similar or different it is from the original material. I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed it regardless. Everything about this story and world felt so much larger than life.

I received an advanced copy of These Feathered Flames through NetGalley so I could share my review with you!

Content Warnings: These Feathered Flames includes scenes and discussions of parental death, emotional and physical abuse, on-page death, and fantasy violence.

Asya and Izaveta have had their fates decided since they were only children. Such is the lot of twin heirs to the Tourin throne. Asya was sent away from court to learn magic from her aunt, the mysterious Firebird, in order to someday balance the magic of the realm. Izaveta stayed behind at court, where she was trained to become the next queen of Tourin. But before Asya can complete her training, the power of the Firebird blooms within her, signaling the death of the former Queen. Neither Asya nor Izaveta was ready for their mother to be taken from them so soon, not when it means that they must step into their respective roles as Firebird and Queen. As they begin to understand the breadth of their new responsibilities, they must also determine the truth around their mother’s death. But, who can be trusted, in a kingdom full of deceit?

You can get your copy of These Feathered Flames on April 20th from Inkyard Press! And there are still two more days to submit your preorder receipt to get some fantastic swag from Alexandra Overy (including character cards and a stylish metal bookmark)!

I am not particularly familiar with the story of the Firebird, but These Feathered Flames made me want to do more research into the classic Russian folktale! Even though I didn’t have a lot of knowledge of the source material, I was still instantly pulled into the story. One of my favorite parts of this story was the queer energy the lead characters possessed. I know for a fact that I will be obsessing over Asya and Izaveta for a long time to come! After reading the ending of These Feathered Flames, I don’t know how I will wait until 2022 for This Cursed Crown!

My Recommendation-
If you love high-stakes high fantasy stories, you need to pick up a copy of These Feathered Flames! This book would be perfect for fans of the Three Dark Crowns series, given its emphasis on sister magic!

To be honest, I don't know the original tales of the Firebird, though I have read other books which include similar stories or the creature itself. I believe its mentioned in Wicked As You Wish by Rin Chupeco, though as a physical bird rather than a mythical energy trapped inside of a conduit. Though I was unaware of the original stories, I was still so excited to read this book, especially as a queer retelling. And after that ending I can't wait for the next book!

When we first meet Asya, she is following her aunt, the current Firebird, as they follow a Calling. The duty of the Firebird is to keep the balance between magic and the world. If someone uses magic and does not pay the proper price, the Firebird must take what was not given to rebalance the world. I thought it was really cool how they show Asya training under her aunt, preparing her for the day the power would be hers, especially since Asya is not only uncomfortable with the Firebird's power but is against the entire thing in general. As someone who thinks the power is cruel, it's ironic she is to be the next Firebird.

Then we meet Izaveta, the other twin set to become Queen, who only wants to make her mother proud and will do anything to emulate her. Everything is a game and every word is a lie. There are no trustworthy people in court, even her own Mother, who uses her own words and actions against her. Yet, when we get to see Iza in a more intimate moment, we can tell she hates the constant games and always having to ensure she is ten steps ahead. Especially once her Mother passes and she has to fight to prove herself during the twelve days of mourning before she is coronated and becomes Queen. I loved the dichotomy between the two sisters. Both who care so much and have to hide it, yet their circumstances are so different.

I honestly really loved the story told by each sister. It helped not only understanding what each is thinking and feeling, but how their actions affect each other. I love seeing the two sides of a story play out simultaneously. One of my favorite things was moving from Asya to Izaveta's perspective when the Firebird appeared. How Asya feels when it emerges versus what other people see as it's happening. It's so terrifying to think of the large mythical creature emerging as a column of flames and devouring those who need to pay a price or try to harm it.

One thing I wasn't a fan of though, was the lack of time we had with Asya and Yulianna. As her personal guard, Yulianna grows to care for Asya and Asya cares for her. I wanted more time to see that affection grow between them instead of the hate to love that we do see in this book. From the ending though, it seems like we will be getting a sequel, so I hope we can get more time with the two and see how their relationship continues to grow. Besides that though, everything about this book was so fantastic. Going back to reread some of my favorite quotes made me realize that this is a book I could re-read over and over again, which is not something I feel often with books.

Overall, I loved this book. From the first sentence I was excited to read this and had trouble putting it down. I knew that once I put it down, I couldn't pick it back up again unless I knew I was going to be able to sit and read for a while. Everything about this book is so captivating from the plot, to the imagery, to the characters themselves and I loved watching the pieces fall into place and the story build. This is definitely a favorite of mine and I can't wait for more!

Thank you to the publisher, Inkyard Press, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars
As per the tradition of Tourin, when twin heirs are born, their destiny is divined and they are separated at a very young age – one to be the future Queen and the other to be the Firebird, who ensures the balance of magic in the land by claiming a price from those who did . Izaveta remained at court to learn the skills she would need to rule and Asya is taken away by her aunt to train to one day take on the powers of the Firebird. When Asya’s power awakens far earlier than expected, it can only mean that the queen is dead. It is time for her to become the new Firebird, and for her sister to be crowned queen. Asya returns to find both her sister and the court much changed. With the coronation being in a matter of days, time is short. Surrounded by scheming courtiers who are waiting for her to fail Izaveta must handle her mother’s death and take over the reins of the kingdom smoothly. And Asya must accept the full responsibilities of a position she has long felt is too brutal and unfair – for if she does not, magic will be thrown out of balance and chaos will follow.

This story is inspired by the Russian folktale of the Firebird, which I have a passing familiarity with, so I was really excited to read this interpretation of it. The world building certainly did not disappoint – there is a lot going on, from magic to history and religion, not forgetting the politics. It didn’t go in as much depth with the descriptions as I would have liked, but there was enough to understand and follow the story, despite how quickly everything moved. It would have been nice though, if the magic system at least, was explained in a little more detail, since the price to be paid for casting a spell and keeping the balance is so integral to the nature of the Firebird, not to mention the Fading of magic in the land and what is bringing it about. The pacing and narration of this book was excellent. The story flowed so well that it didn’t feel like a 500 page book at all, and this can easily be read in one sitting.

Izaveta’s character, while not one I can say I liked, was intriguing. She has been raised in the palace, surrounded by untrustworthy and manipulative people and has had to learn the cutthroat ways of the court to stay a step ahead of everyone – and now, to hold on to her throne. Asya is such a stark contrast to her sister, too trusting, naive and nowhere near ready to take up her role. Her naivety surprised me – she is still a princess, and as Firebird, a powerful symbol whom others would love to try and control. Shouldn’t her aunt have prepared her better, knowing that she would have to return to court at some point?

Objectively speaking, this was a pretty good read and I can certainly appreciate the difficulty of the situations the sisters find themselves in. However, personally, I did not feel very invested in the story or the characters. The characters were interesting, Izaveta’s POVs in particular, but I felt like the story spent just a little too much time getting into Iza and Asya’s thoughts and feelings, hence neglecting other aspects of the story. And despite all the time spent on the character arcs, I still felt disconnected from them and I think a large portion of that is because we don’t get to see what the sisters’ upbringing was like, only what we know from their conversations and inner dialogue. Finally, while I do enjoy political drama in fantasy, I felt like it was a little too much in this one. The ending, with all those unexpected plot twists was well done, but I feel like it’s setting up for even more drama in the sequel which I am still debating whether to read or not.

Overall, though this book didn’t really click for me, it is a solid debut and a promising one. I’m sure there are fantasy readers out there that will enjoy it, so this book is one I would recommend.

These Feathered Flames is a Russian folklore-inspired fantasy where when the queen has twins, one is to be her heir while the other is set to be the next firebird, a magical being tasked with maintaining the balance of magic.

We follow twin sister Izaveta and Asya who are separated young when they find out Izaveta will become the future queen and Asya will become the next firebird. They are quickly reunited at the start of the book when their mother, the queen, dies mysteriously with a possible magic related death. The twins must assume their new roles while trying to rekindle their old bond together in a world where they don’t know who they can trust.

I was really hoping to love this and was a bit disappointed that I didn’t. The main reason that I didn’t was because of Izaveta. Through her perspective we get the political intrigue that for me fell a bit flat. Izeveta is someone who, from her past experiences, has learned to never trust anyone which is something you can see her struggling with through the book. This honestly exhausted me and caused a lot of my frustrations. I get why it was necessary but thought it could have been done differently with greater success.

Thankfully, I really enjoyed Asya’s perspective that I believe is seen slightly more than her sister’s. Through Asya, we get to see the magical side of the world and why it’s important for the firebird to maintain the balance of magic. She struggles to control and understand this newly acquired magic that she never wanted in the first place. She also struggles to reconnect with her untrusting sister and find her new place within this world where people either fear or hate the firebird.

I really enjoyed some of the Russian-inspired elements to the story. Like they ride bears, how cool is that?! I did find that I had a bit of a hard time keeping track of who was who though. I found that some of the names were similar and would mix people up.

All in an, it was an okay book. It had some really cool and unique concepts but I wasn’t the biggest fan of the execution.

I was super excited about this book. The concept and world was incredibly cool, which I thought set the scene for a lot of potential. Unfortunately, the story fell a little short for me. As much as I wanted to like Asya and Izaveta , I felt like they were a bit one-dimensional, where each were kind of defined by just one characteristic. Too much time was spent showing how manipulative and cunning Izaveta is while a lot of time was spent showing Asya as a weak and naive character. There was a lot of potential for character development that was lost in hammering in the two singular character traits. In addition, the plot was a bit slow for the first half, though I did find myself engrossed in the second.

Nevertheless, I really enjoyed the world building and learning about all the new terms and cultural pieces in the story. However, I don't know whether it will be it for me to read the next novel.

Do you ever just sit there longing for a Slavic-inspired fantasy book, with names that actually make sense, and where the “Slavic-inspired” part isn’t just an aesthetic but instead is what makes the whole plot and the world work? Boy, do I have a treat for you!

These Feathered Flames has a lot to offer, and the fact that it’s deeply rooted in Russian culture is actually just the tip of the iceberg. (Unless you’re Slavic, of course, in which case it might be my main selling point for you. Basically every single part of the world-building is something you can trace back to things you know from your childhood, and I think that’s beautiful.)

The book centers around two twin sisters and that is the main relationship of the book, despite the fact that both of them also have really interesting love interests. It’s their dynamic that pushes the plot forward, that makes things happen. Both Asya and Izaveta act either because of or in spire of their love for each other. And their love is absolutely obvious, even though one is a Firebird and the other a Queen-to-be and they’re not supposed to actually remember they’re sisters.

But then you have the delicious hate-to-love lesbian romance. Or more accurately, hate-to-something-that-could-bloom-into-love-if-given-a-chance. You need to understand that romance is not a main focus of These Feathered Flames, but it still manages to gift us some absolutely iconic scenes. Including sword fighting.

And the biggest gift of them all: the ending and what it promises the sequel to be. Everything one could possibly want from a book about a Firebird and sisters, if one enjoys angst and powerful women.

If you’re looking for a YA fantasy book with cool world-building, intense relationships, strong main female characters, a side of romance, intrigues, mysteries & betrayals, These Feathered Flames is definitely a book for you. It also has bears!

I was excited about this book. The cover is gorgeous, the concept is really cool, and I had been seeing some good reviews for it. Unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The twin main characters, Izaveta and Asya, were separated in childhood to train for their destined roles as the Queen and the Firebird. The story begins when they each have to step into their roles suddenly and earlier than expected. The twins had contrasting personalities which made for an interesting dichotomy in the storytelling and their character development, but I had trouble connecting with them. The story centers around the complicated relationship between the sisters, and other than being told that they used to be inseparable, I didn't feel their bond. All of the relationships lacked chemistry and depth that would have made me really care about them. The Russian-inspired world seemed cool, especially the system of magic and balance, but I felt like we only scratched the surface with all the aspects in the world-building, and having a deeper understanding would have enriched the story a lot. Because of these things, even though I thought the plot was interesting, I wasn't as invested in it as I wanted to be. It felt a little dry in parts and there were moments when it felt like I was just reading the same thing again with no forward movement. The ending, plot-wise, was stellar and I did not see the twists coming, but since I wasn't entirely invested in the relationships, it didn't pack as much of a punch as it should have. It leaves on a cliffhanger and sets us up nicely for the second part of the duology, but I don't know if I will go on to read the next book. I can definitely see people enjoying this one, but it just wasn't enough for me.

I first want to thank NetGalley and Inkyard Press for giving me free access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book so much. From chapter one I was fully invested in Asya and what would happen to her. It took me longer to warm up to and care about some of the other characters but I did grow to love other characters as well. I think Overy is such a talented story teller. Throughout the novel she interviews in foreshadowing of future events. But she never fully reveals her hand about other things until she wants the reader to know. And while you feel like she's leading you down one path, you sometimes find that you were on a different path all along. Yet, while the final puzzle piece is put into place, it all becomes a clear picture.

There were a few points where things around magic and the Firebird in this world didn't quite seem to follow the logic I felt Overy had set down. And I am not sure if it's because she needed those tweaks to fit the plot line or if I did not fully understand how things can work in the reality of the book.

I am 100% going to read the next book in this series when it comes out. Though I'll be interested to see if she takes a similar approach of going back and forth between two characters POV. And if so... which two.

**Thank you to Netgalley and Inkyard Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. This in no way changed my rating**

I wanted to love this. I realllllllly did. Firebird retelling, queer romance, story about two sisters. I was HERE for it. Unfortunately, while those elements are technically part of the story, I found this book to be baffling in its pacing. I was incredibly bored through the majority of the book.

These Feathered Flames follows Izaveta and Asya, two twin sisters who are part of an ongoing prophecy where one twin, Izaveta, becomes the queen of their country and the other, Asya, becomes the Firebird, a magical being that keeps the balance of magic use. Separated once their roles become apparent, the sisters reunite after the death of their mother and work to rekindle their relationship while solving the mystery of who killed the last queen.

To begin with, I do not enjoy slow burn romances. A friend of mine said the author has gone on record saying this is "the slowest of slow burn romances", however, I do not follow her on social media. I feel strongly this should have been put in the synopsis somewhere as I would have known this probably isn't for me having known that. My issue with slow burn romances is that they tend to be poorly paced. The characters spend so much time pining and giving furtive glances, which means nothing is happening in the plot until suddenly it is. I found that to be the case here, too. As there are two leads, there are two slow burn romances and the one that was put in the synopsis is the slower of the two. It was to the point I was more than halfway through the book before we even got decent attempts at banter or flirtation. Mostly it was a lot of blushing and looking away with no other indication that there was attraction there. The other romance had better flirtation since the sister involved is more skilled at communication, but still was poorly paced and effectively went nowhere once the plot didn't need the love interest anymore. If you are into a LOT of pining, you might like this. I thought the pacing was wildly off and there wasn't enough "romance" aspects to keep me interested in that part of the plot.

Additionally, I felt like the overall plot suffered from pacing issues. Most of the plot happened in the last 20% of the book. By then, I was incredibly bored and just trying to finish the book. I didn't care enough about the set up to feel like the pay off was worth it. Had there been more events towards the beginning and less crammed together at the end, I might have liked it more. It felt like a lot of the same argument being held over and over from both girls ("I'm too young and inexperienced to fulfill my role. Woe is me because I'm failing everyone.") The feeling of inadequacy both Izaveta and Asya feel over and over and OVER again wasn't really resolved until the BITTER end and didn't feel earned. One of them is still going on about how she's failed everyone with something like 10 pages left in the book. There wasn't a lot of growth in that aspect for me, although one of the girls does learn to accept that she was misguided in her understanding of her role and learns its importance. She still feels SHE isn't right for the role, which is frustrating. I would have liked to see them both come to an understanding of why they were suited for their roles and become more confident in themselves.

My last real issue is the "murder mystery" aspect. The book HEAVILY implies that a character didn't do it, stopping just short of saying explicitly they didn't, just to turn around at the end and go "oh wait....yeah, they did." This felt like a slap in the face to me as a reader. If the mystery relies on you lying to the reader about whether or not a character was involved instead of leaving clues throughout the book to help the reader solve it, it isn't a good mystery. It feels like the author is just laughing at you for believing what they wrote. There were also many instances where the character faces a problem related to the mystery and they immediately produce the answer within the next few chapters.

I think this had potential, which is even more disappointing. I liked the strong world building, evidenced in the culture and religious aspects of the community Overy wrote. I also really enjoyed the idea that, being as this is Russian influenced, the characters ride bears instead of horses. That was a unique aspect that I loved and hope more Fantasy writers incorporate (i.e. other modes of transportation in their books). I just feel like, for me, the slow and off pacing was too much for me to overcome. The "tie-in" for a second book felt very rushed and there isn't much that wasn't wrapped up to explore in a second book. This isn't a series I would be willing to continue.

For that reason, I have rated this a 2/5 stars. There were just too many major issues for me to overlook it and rate it any higher. I'm sure there are people who will love this, but I just wasn't one of them.

Genre: Fairytale Retelling, YA Fantasy
Page Count: 496
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Warnings: There is some death and violence, but nothing major or highly descriptive.

Quick Look (out of five):
Plot Rating: 4
Character Rating: 4
Romance Rating: 4
World-Building Rating: 5
Writing Style Rating: 5
Recommended?: Yes. This book is a delightful reimagining of a Russian fairytale that is perfect for fans of both Russian-inspired settings and fans of fairytale retellings.

This book swept me away upon a current of lush Russian folklore and deadly court maneuverings. The atmosphere of the book is incredible, and I felt like I was right there in the story. It is a retelling of a fairytale – The Firebird – which I was wholly unfamiliar with. I cannot speak to how well the book twists the fairytale into something new, but the narrative is certainly engaging. The main characters are exceptionally well-crafted, with flaws and dreams that make them seem real. My heart broke for both Izaveta and Asya, as I watched them be betrayed at every turn. These two girls have been taught to trust no one and have been alone for far too long. It was an absolute pleasure reading this book, and I cannot wait for the sequel to come out.

At its core, this is a book about sisters. There is magic and court intrigue and Russian mythology, but at the end of the day it is a story about the lengths two women will go to in order to protect one another. Izaveta and Asya are 17-years-old and dealing with the sudden death of their mother, the queen, while grappling with their new power. Izaveta has 14 days until she is crowned queen and is desperately trying to assemble a cabinet that is loyal to her. Asya has inherited the power of the Firebird, a mythic entity that lives inside her. The Firebird’s purpose is to keep balance in the world, exacting a price for magic if the magic caster did not pay a price in the casting. Iza and Asya have not seen each other for seven years, separated immediately following the ceremony that determined which sister would become Queen and which would train to be the Firebird. Both sisters face unseen enemies at every turn and are unsure of how to interact with one another after so long apart. The fate of the queendom rests upon each sister’s ability to step into her role and assume the burdens that come with power. It is a story of love and redemption, of monsters and magic, that captures the ways the sisters fight bitterly, but always come together in the face of danger.

Izaveta is the heir to the throne of Tóurin. At ten years old, she was chosen by the Gods to be the next queen and began her training with her mother. Iza is one of those characters who desperately needs a good therapist. Her mother, Queen Adilena, taught Iza to trust no one, and seemed to enjoy ensuring that Iza knew just how little power she has. Iza and her mother have an awful relationship that in a modern-day story would definitely be deemed abusive. It hurt my heart to watch Iza feel cornered and tested at all times, never feeling safe enough to relax her guard. She has perfected the art of lying and bargaining, playing the deadly court games around her and trying to stay afloat. Iza reminded me of an animal backed into a corner; her schemes grow increasingly desperate as the novel progresses and the trauma of being constantly on alert slowly begins to wear her down. I love Iza as a character, but I know that if I met her in real life we would not get along. She craves power to a dangerous degree, clearly trying to amass enough power that she will feel safe. Most of her decisions are wrong, in my opinion, but I recognize that Iza simply has no good choices left to her. Iza is an incredibly complex character that I like and dislike in equal measure.

Asya has been in training to become the Firebird since she was ten-years-old, chosen for that path in the same ceremony where Iza was chosen to be queen. Asya struggles with the morality of what she will one day have to do as the Firebird. Until her mother dies, Asya’s great-aunt Tarya will remain the Firebird and Asya will act as her apprentice. Tarya is definitely a better mother-figure than Adilena, but that is an extremely low bar. Since Adilena had no twin, she became queen and Tarya, who served the previous queen, continues to be the Firebird. The years have stripped Tarya’s humanity, and Asya feels she cannot turn to her great-aunt in times of stress or uncertainty. Asya is just as alone as Iza, but because she does not have to contend with court life, Asya remains far more innocent. She is naïve and trusting, sheltered from the bloody power struggles of the court. Asya grows the most during the novel, coming into her own in terms of identity and the way she sees her destiny as the Firebird. Unlike Iza, I feel no back-and-forth about Asya; I want only the best for her. Asya is by far my favorite character, and I am impressed both with how she matures and with the choices she makes about who she wants to be.

There are hints of romance throughout the novel, but none of the romantic threads take center stage until the very end. Even then, the romance between characters is a secondary plotline to the bond between Iza and Asya. Iza’s romantic storyline is the sparsest of the two. She is far too involved in trying to retain her throne to bother with romance. Iza has been burned by love in the past, and she does not trust anyone enough to try falling in love again. I appreciate that the narrative does not try to force Iza into a romance she clearly is not ready for. Asya is where the real romantic weight falls, and I love that her romance is with another woman. Asya’s relationship with one of the royal guards is wonderful to watch unfold. Through being loved by another person, Asya comes to recognize her own strength. It allows Asya to fully step into her role as Firebird without feeling like the monster everyone sees her as. Asya’s romantic arc is heart-wrenching and has a shocking twist towards its end. I really like that while the novel dips into moments of romantic tension, the true driving force of the plot never strays from being about Asya and Iza’s complicated relationship.

I really love novels based on Russian folklore, so this novel was absolutely designed for me. The author did an incredible amount of research, and it pays off. Both the magical and the mundane elements in this world feel so real and well-rounded. The landscape is beautiful, filled with domesticated bears and glowing starlings and magical forests. However, the true crowning achievement here is in the construction of Tóurin’s court. The different factions and constant shifting power dynamics were a delight. The interweaving of nobility vying for seats on the queen’s council, the powerful military, and the scheming leader of the Church is so interesting and I wish we got to delve deeper into it. The political makeup of this country seems incredibly complex, and we only scratch the surface during Iza’s desperate maneuverings. I am particularly interested in learning more about the Church and various Saints in the next novel. It will be interesting to see if there is a shift towards more honesty and trust, with figures out for their own power being ousted from their advisory positions. The amount of corruption and power grabbing is astounding, and I want to see these characters start to push back against these forces.

This novel is such an enjoyable and moving read. I love the dynamic between Izaveta and Asya, and I cannot wait to see how it eventually settles at the end of the series. I hope the next novel dives into how the politics between Tóurin and its neighboring countries works, and how changes in these relationship may affect the court of Tóurin. Iza and Asya won my heart – although there are several decisions each of them make that make me want to shake some sense into them. The ending left me desperate for the next book, with quite the tantalizing cliffhanger. I look forward to reading the sequel when it comes out and getting to see more of this beautiful world and these lovely characters.

SPOILERS

It definitely took me longer than it should have to realize that Iza was the one who cast the spell that killed the Queen. We learn so early on in the novel that everyone who uses magic and does not pay the correct price is marked with an ashy feather on their forearm. Iza’s habit of playing with her glvoes when nervous should have been a giveaway that she had something to hide. Perhaps Disney’s Frozen is to blame; the idea of a woman about to be crowned queen fiddling with her gloves does not seem out of the ordinary. Plus, there is the very well-executed red-herring in Yuliana, the guard assigned to Asya. She quite obviously hides a marking on her forearm from Asya, and I agreed with Asya’s suspicion that Yuliana cast the spell. My inability to see this twist coming could have also been attributed to a bad migraine I had while reading. I will never know whether I might have picked up on Iza’s secret earlier than I did if I was fully mentally present, but this reveal was definitely well-executed enough for me to not realize it further ahead of time.

I nearly cried for Asya when she realizes that Yuliana is a member of the Order of the Captured Flame that intends to kill the Firebird – and Asya in the process. Yuliana was the first person who seemed to see Asya as herself rather than only as the monstrous Firebird. In falling in love with Yuliana and finding those feeling reciprocated, Asya started to see her powers as a necessary burden and not as a cruel mandate. Yuliana’s betrayal cut deep. Yuliana did come to care for Asya and believe that the Order’s mandate is wrong, but that does not change the fact that she started her friendship with Asya with ulterior motives. Despite how much this betrayal hurts, it was such a good plot arc from a narrative perspective. It allowed Asya to get the emotional validation and love she needs to come in to her own. When she discovers Yuliana’s betrayal, Asya has the self-confidence and foundation she needs to the believe in herself and her own strength. I hope in the sequel we get to see Yuliana again, and that her and Asya’s relationship gets mended. I was rooting for them to work out during the story, and I desperately want them to work through the hurt from Yuliana’s initial betrayal.

The climactic moment when Iza tells Asya the whole truth and admits to being the person the Firebird must extract a price from is so well done. My eyes teared up as the two girls told each other ‘I love you’ right before the Firebird’s power erases Iza to restore the magical balance in the world. I respect Iza so much for choosing to sacrifice herself. She could have chosen power rather than protecting her people and the land. It would have been so easy for Iza to go through with her coronation instead of running to save Asya. Iza knows in choosing her sister that she is choosing to die. Considering that their last conversation before this was so nasty, with angry words hurled by both parties, it makes the emotional connection of this scene all the more powerful. Asya reigns in the Firebird in her and prevents her power from extracting a price from Iza. When Iza begs Asya to let her do at least one good and selfless thing, Asya respects her sister enough to honor those wishes. It is such a hard choice for both women, and it shows how much they grew over the course of the novel.

3.5 stars

So, I have to admit, I'm a little disappointed here. There was SO much I was looking forward to with this book: Firebird retelling, f/f enemies to lovers, riding bears. But nearly every aspect of this story kind of let me down. Now, don't get me wrong, this was still a fun read and I do plan on continuing the series when the next book comes out.

Let me just break things down for a clearer picture of how I'm feeling.

Writing: Really solid writing. No major complaints. The only thing I struggled with was the Russian aspects of this. I get that this is a retelling of a Russian folktale, but just in general, it's hard for me to connect with Russian-inspired stories.

Plot: The plot was really intriguing in theory. Twins destined to be queen and the firebird. But the story actually ended up falling flat. The political intrigue didn't make much sense to me and didn't play as big of a role as it could have.

Characters: The two sisters' relationship was probably the most interesting part of the whole story. Izaveta especially, the one meant to become queen, really had a unique character arc. She really wasn't all that likable and made plenty of poor choices, but that made her all the more interesting. Asya on the other hand, wasn't quite as compelling as a character, but her story definitely held my attention. Also, this was supposed to be f/f enemies to lovers, but even that didn't go as far as I hoped. I was left wanting.

World-building: Now, here's where things really lacked for me. Here we have a super intriguing concept with the Firebird and everything, but then we don't get enough backstory or other contributing factors to really make it soar. The religion aspect was confusing and not fleshed out enough. I really can't tell you much about the landscape or queendom in general. And even the magic fell short of my expectations. The only thing I get about the magic is that there is always a price and that it is currently in danger of going away (but, like, based on everything else, would that really be such a bad thing?).

Anyway, I really don't want to just sit here and rip the story to shreds. It was still a fun read and I am not surprised by the five-star ratings. The only thing I can hope for the next book, though, is MORE BEARS.

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 twist 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.

Go read this book! Sapphic enemies to lovers that is based on Russian folklore…need I say more??

These Feathered Flames is a YA political high fantasy story that follows twin sisters Asya and Izaveta. One sister destined to become the legendary fire bird, while the other is destined to become the next queen. The sisters are forced off their individual paths and are reunited after their mother’s death. I loved the political aspects of this story and the romance was very well done and so swoon worthy! I am so excited to see where the story takes us in the next book!

I’m really upset that I couldn’t get into this one since I did look forward to it for months but when I finally got the chance to read it, it was a big let down for me!

This book had all of the tropes that draw me to a book, especially with it being enemies to lovers but I was just SO bored while reading this book that I just didn’t finish it because I felt like I was literally dragging myself through it. When I read the first couple of chapters, I was intrigued and felt like I was going to enjoy this story but after that, it just fell flat for me.

Also, I know this is a Russian retelling but all of the Russian words in this book, ESPECIALLY the names, made it really hard to follow along. I 100% didn’t know which character was which by the 50% mark and just couldn’t read it anymore. All of the names seemed so similar to me and I just couldn’t remember a single one.

One thing I did enjoy and the reason it’s getting 2 stars are the two main girls. They do give off Sansa and Aria vibes which I’m here for and I felt like I knew these characters but all of the rest were definitely flat.

Maybe it gets better after the 50% mark but I had to put it down for now.

Twin sisters Asya and Izaveta are destined for greatness. One was born for the throne, and one to inherit the ancient magic of the Firebird. As legend dictates, the sisters parted ways at a young age, each forced to prepare for their respective role. Trained by her resolute aunt, Asya fears the fiery power burning inside her, and the terrible punishments she will be duty-bound to enact as the next Firebird. Within the walls of the palace, Izaveta lives in the shadow of her cold and relentless mother, the current queen of Tourin. The two sisters couldn’t be farther apart, but when their mother suddenly passes away, Asya and Izaveta are brought back together once more. As a new Firebird and queen rise side-by-side, the twin princesses must deal with shifty court politics, the fading magic of their land, and their mother’s mysterious death.

Enemies-to-lovers romance, intriguing magic, and sisterhood collide in Alexandra Overy’s YA fantasy debut, These Feathered Flames, a queer retelling of the Russian folktale, “The Firebird.” Asya and Izaveta are complicated characters that I couldn’t help but root for at every turn. The former is a reluctant Chosen One whose dangerous power makes her question where she ends and the Firebird begins. Within the world of These Feathered Flames, magic comes with a price, and when that price is not freely given, Asya herself must collect it by whatever means necessary. Through her character arc, Overy interrogates themes of power, duty, and morality with honesty and a sharp edge. Readers will be left wondering if, when the flames settle, there will be anything human left of Asya—or if she will become the monster everyone else believes her to be. Izaveta is equally compelling, though in different ways. Raised to never feel good enough for her mother, she’s driven to prove herself by outsmarting her opponents; and while she may project the image of a pristine ruler, behind the mask, Izaveta is also dealing with her own demons. The intricate dynamic between these two heroines lies at the center of this story, serving as its fiery, beating heart. Epic and emotional, These Feathered Flames is not to be missed!

(Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)