Crown of Feathers (Crown of Feathers, #1)

by Nicki Pau Preto

In a world ruled by fierce warrior queens, a grand empire was built upon the backs of Phoenix Riders - legendary heroes who soared through the sky on wings of fire - until a war between two sisters ripped it all apart.


Sixteen years later, Veronyka is a war orphan who dreams of becoming a Phoenix Rider from the stories of old. After a shocking betrayal from her controlling sister, Veronyka strikes out alone to find the Riders - even if that means disguising herself as a boy to join their ranks.


Just as Veronyka finally feels like she belongs, her sister turns up and reveals a tangled web of lies between them that will change everything. And, meanwhile, the new empire has learned of the Riders' return and intends to destroy them once and for all.


Crown of Feathers is an epic fantasy about love's incredible power to save - or to destroy. Throughout is interspersed the story of Avalkyra Ashfire, the last Rider Queen, who would rather see her empire burn than fall into her sister's hands.

• ISBN10: 1534424628
• ISBN13: 9781534424623
• Publish Date: 12 February 2019
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Margaret K. McElderry Books
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 496
• Language: English

Reviews

It has been a while since I have read this book, so my review will be fairly short and not as detailed.

This is definitely one of the best books I have read this year. It felt magical, it had strong characters, there were complex relationships, it had everything I hoped for. It also did not depend on the most standard YA tropes, which was a relief.
There was one plot twist that I saw coming from the beginning of the book, but I did not mind it since that added more layers to the story.
Can we get book two already?

[Ashley]

So freaking good!!

[Jo]

Trigger/Content Warnings: This book features a girl disguising herself as a boy, emotional abuse, debt bondage/debt slavery, animal death, graphic description of someone being killed, a battle, and death.

I've been wanting to read Crown of Feathers by Nicki Pau Preto ever since Akemi Dawn Bowman raved about it on Twitter. High fantasy featuring warriors who fought on massive phoenixes? Sign me up! But it even better than I expected! This book is incredible!

The story is told from three perspectives. Veronyka is the primary narrator; she is a war orphan who has spent the last six years moving from place to place with her sister, Val, ever since their grandmother was killed: they are all animages - they have magic that allows them to communicate with animals. But to be an animage today - after the Blood War sixteen years ago that had non-magical people turn against animages after Avalkyra Ashfire, the last Phoenix Rider Queen, turned against the Empire when her succession to the throne was disputed, with her fellow Phoenix riders - means paying extortionate tax to use their magic, or become bondservants - animages who are put into debt bondage/slavery, working to pay off their debt. When Veronyka's grandmother was found out and caught, Val and Veronyka had to run, and have been hiding ever since. Veronyka has always loved the stories of Phoenix Riders, and is desperate to try and find out if there are any left, in hiding. After the Blood War, Phoenixes were executed, and the Phoenix Riders either also executed or put into bondage. But Val is controlling and manipulative, and believes they can only trust each other. It's not until Val betrays Veronyka in the worst possibl way that Veronyka sets out on her own, to try and see if the Phoenix Riders are still alive. She discovers a band of Phoenix Riders in Pyrmont, but for some unknown reason, they won't accept women to train to become Phoenix Riders, and she disguises herself as a boy, and calls herself Nyk.

Sev is an animage, who has forced down his magic in order to hide. He's turned his back on who he is, and has tried to make his way through life by being invisible - surviving, but not living. After accidentally killing someone, he was conscripted into the Empire's army - the very army that would force him into bondage if they discovered he is an animage. While on a mission he meets Trix, an elderly bondservant who used to be a Phoenix Rider, who discovers Sev is an animage and blackmails him into helping her in her plans to try and thwart his contingent's mission. He's tried so hard not to care, but it's through Trix and Kade, another bondservant helping Trix, that his eyes are opened to just how oppressed his people are, and that he's dishonouring his parents, Phoenix Riders who died protecting fellow animages.

Tristan is an apprentice Phoenix Rider. The Phoenix Riders are nothing like they were; their numbers are depleted, there are only a few who survived the Blood War, and a number of them are not yet battle ready. In secret, they're trying to train and build their numbers - but that's difficult to do when Phoenix eggs are scarce. Not only in Tristan an apprentice Phoenix Rider, he's also the son of Commander Cassian, who leads the Phoenix Riders. His father expects so much of him, and he tries so hard to be the best he can be - and he is brilliant - but any mistake is punished. It doesn't help that due to an experience when he was younger, he is afraid of fire. It doesn't matter that the fire of his bondmate, the phoenix Rex, won't harm him, it still terrifies him. Tristan is forced into extra practise after failing at an obstacle course, with the help of Nyk, who saved his bacon. Nyk is a new arrival to Pyrmont currently working in the stables, who is particularly skilled with his magic. The two cannot stand each other at first, but a friendship blossoms between the two as time goes on, and Tristan does what he can to help Nyk train, even if he can't become an apprentice just yet.

I absolutely loved Crown of Feathers! High fantasy is what got me into reading, and while I read YA of many genres, high fantasy is always going to be my first love. But there are only some high fantasy novels that have something that just has me falling in love with reading all over again; leaving me overwhelmed with wonder and completely captivating my imagination. Crown of Feathers is one of these books. It was like being 12-years-old again, and discovering that book that completely took my breath away and made me a life long reader, when I hated reading before. It filled me with such unbridled joy! Crown of Feathers is completely enthralling.

The worldbuilding is absolutely incredible! At the beginning of each chapter, there are a few lines that you come to realise are the thoughts of Avalkyra Ashfire in the lead up to the Blood War. And at the end of most chapters, there will be either excerpts from history books, or letters sent between Avalkyra and her sister Pheronia sent just before the war. There is so much history to this world! We get the legends and the stories of how the Phoenix Riders came to be, of previous warrior Queens, how the Empire was formed, of previous wars. It's just incredible! I revelled in all this history that was scattered here and there, making this world so very believable, and pretty damn epic. But I also loved the idea that history might be skewed, and what you think you know about historical people might not necessarily be true. Who a hero is and who a villain is all depends on perspective, right? This isn't a huge part of the story, but it's implied, and briefly thought about, and I just really loved it! Then there's the magic! Neither the animagic nor shadowmagic - magic that allows the use into other people's minds to hear their thoughts, or to compel or control them - are new. I've read about them before. But what you get with Crown of Feathers is a fantastic twist on these magics, and what they mean for these characters' particular stories. Mate, it was just wonderful and fascinating!

I loved Veronkya, Sev and Tristan, all in their own ways. They make mistakes, and are flawed, but they're just so precious, each of them, in their own ways. They each have their own story, but the ways their stories intersect and effects each other, it's just wonderful! And I have to mention Trix and Sparrow! Trix is such an incredible character! She's funny and spunky and fierce! She's so shrewd! There is so much more to this sweet looking little old lady, and I adored her! And Sparrow was just fantastic! She's a young girl Veronyka meets after she strikes out on her own, and I loved her. An animage, she's all on her own, with just her animal companion, Chirp. She's blind, but Chirp is her eyes. She's homeless and she begs for food, she's dirty and her hair is a mess, and so she's not treated so well by the villagers, but doesn't really seem to think anything of it. She freely offers to help Veronyka, without having to be asked. Sparrow is forthright and a little reckless, and just has this confidence that comes with only having herself to rely on. She broke my heart, and I just wanted to give her the biggest hug! But she's not unhappy, and with Chirp, she isn't lonely either. And I hated it when she and Veronyka had to part ways, and she was back on her own again, but again, it didn't seem to bother her. I wish there had been more of Sparrow; she's in it so briefly, but for me, she stole the show.

And the twists! They were awesome! There was one I figured out in regards to an important side character. I had another two theories, one I discarded for  the other, and they both ended up being half right, but the specifics were jaw dropping! I saw that twist at the end coming, but with regards to another character, so it was a real punch in the gut, and ooooh, it's going to be amazing in regards to the whole story! I am so excited to see where it leads the story in book two!

Crown of Feathers is pretty diverse, with all but one side character being people of colour, with light or dark brown skin. No labels are used, but the very first Phoenix Rider Queen, Nefyra, was in a relationship with a woman. Sev finds himself drawn to Kade, and there's an asexual character, too. And I also think one of the characters could be bi/pansexual. As I mentioned before, Sparrow is blind, and Morra, the cook at the Phoenix Rider stronghold - but also a fairly important figure amongst the Phoenix Riders - has only one leg due to losing the other in the Blood War.

Crown of Feathers is an absolutely incredible debut novel, and a wonderful high fantasy novel! I cannot wait for the second book in the series, and am pretty sure I will read anything Preto writes in future. Do not sleep on this!

[Witty and Sarcastic Bookclub]

http://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.home.blog/2019/02/28/crown-of-feathers-by-nicki-pau-preto/

Wow! This book was phenomenal! I went into it hoping for a new fantasy with an old school fantasy feel (I’ll explain more about that, I promise), and I was not disappointed. It surpassed everything I hoped for.

Here’s a very simplified take on the premise of this book: Veronyka and Val are sisters, eking out a living with only each other to rely on. They’ve been raised on stories of phoenix riders and fierce queens, though their time has passed after a long war. Since then, there have been mutterings of remnants of the Phoenix Riders hiding out and trying to rebuild their diminished numbers.

After Val does something completely horrible, Veronyka leaves her, and disguises herself as a boy in order to join the ranks of the phoenix riders and-hopefully- become one herself.

That is a very basic blurb. There is so much more to this book and it’s all fantastic! There’s another fascinating story line that twists and turns throughout the book, related but separate. Phoenixes, wars, twists and turns-it’s all there.

When I mentioned an “old school fantasy” feel, I meant the sort that includes a hero learning to be who he/she is, magic, fantasy creatures, and a world fully separated from ours, where the fantastical is accepted and not questioned. This all exists within the pages of this book. Now, without further ado, it’s time to spew opinions:

First of all: phoenixes! How cool is that? I’m a sucker for fantasy creatures written well, and these are. In fact, everything about this book is well written. Each character is fully developed and important in some way. There are no “red shirts”, there just to bite the dust. In fact, they’re all so well written that I’m having a hard time deciding who my favorite character even is.

Another thing that I loved about this book is the way it told a very realized history of its world, including wars, betrayals, and belief systems, without ever feeling like it was dragging. It was woven in so well with the main plot line that it just felt natural to be learning so much about this world. There’s also a timeline and glossary at the back of the book, which is awesome.

This book builds slowly, investing time in making you actually care about what happens with these characters. It’s never boring, though, and once it gets going, it really gets going. So much happened so quickly that I was on the edge of my seat for the last quarter of the book.

I can’t think of a single thing about this book that I didn’t like. There is absolutely nothing I would change at all. Well- maybe I’d have the sequel be released already so I don’t have to wait…the agony that can only be caused by a good book.

Read this.

[layawaydragon]

I love the magic world building with the animages and phoenixes and queens and riders.
I love the historical documents between each chapter.
I love our revolving POVs. The switching does well to keep the tension and the itch to move forward high.
I did not expect almost everything plotwise.
Adorable scene w/ archery training between LI's.
What an ending!
I have no idea where this is headed.
And I can't wait to find out.

HOWEVER....


There is a powerful draw as a cis woman to these stories, of course and I get it.

I'm going to break from the pack here a bit and say I don't like the girl joining things disguised as boys. It's hard for me to describe, but basically, girls are not socialized the same as boys, and this simplistic 'bind your boobs to be a boy' doesn't work. It's not that simple and easy and far more fraught than just dressing alike. Jokes and mannerisms and posturing and eye contact and space and so many little things are different. Even young preteen boys and girls are different this way before the hormones kick in. We're treated differently since forever before we're born. And people can tell when you're different than what's been beaten into the bone and can smell the fear of discovery.

And when straight men fear they're falling for Sweet Polly Oliver? Things get violent. I'm all for the internet sensation of Bi Li Shang & Mulan, but I'm not going to accept new cannon where it's not out loud and proud. I'm tired and we all deserve better. Where is my bi/pan/questioning rep that we deserve?

And how does little isolated cis girl get to be so flawlessly social and blend in as a boy and win everybody over?

It doesn't seem right or fair to have these stories be so...easy and flippant to blend in. When people study and fret and are attacked everyday for not meeting the invisible "normal" that's rigorously enforced. Sissy boys and pussies and tomboys and lesbos are still targetted and us bis and pans are fodder for both ends as cheaters and fakes. So this coy "I'm disguised as a boy" act is disingenuous to the spectrum of gender and attraction and socialization and acceptance and I don't appreciate at it anymore.

And don't give me that 'fantasy world' excuse. Yes, there's been warrior queens as equals and blah blah blah. But the very people that are supposed to follow such beliefs have outlawed women in their ranks. And you're telling me they wouldn't be hazing and toxic enforcing their masculinity and superiority? BULLSHIT. They're a fucking frat house now.

Maybe I'm being too harsh in my sudden vocalization of against this trope. It does have a budding m/m couple opposite our m/w to give balance. They aren't frat boy toxic, and at least the sneak works harder to blend in with the "normies". But at the same time, it's much harder for them dancing around their push/pull attraction and if it can be done with this couple, why not do it right for the m/w? Is there a message I'm not getting? Or am I thinking too hard about it. *growls and gestures in frustration, throwing up hands*

[anastasia]

This was everything I could have asked for in a book. This is the best debut book I’ve read ever. I can't even right now.

Full Review on my blog! - Full review contains spoilers~

Omg. I LOVE this book. The world building, vivid descriptions, the compelling and complex characters, the bond between the phoenixes and their riders, romance and  history of the Phoenix Riders, and backstory, was on point. There are a few different POV's but they're easy to follow, also, at the end of each chapter we get an insight to what Avalkyra Ashfire is thinking, which I'm just realizing now after re-reading the ones I highlighted. 

It was just perfect, it was everything.  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!

I'll be honest, some parts were a little confusing, but you HAVE to read til the end, everything will make sense, because the freaking EPILOGUE literally ties the book together, it's so cleaver and perfect.... did I mention PERFECT? It's going to really hard for me not to spoil anything... argghhh

When Veronyka's 'sister' Val comes home with two phoenovo (Phoenix eggs) only one makes it, and it bonds with Veronyka instead, and not Val, who was the one raising it during incubation. Val isn't happy when that happens, she completely changes, she feels angry and cheated, because she wanted the phoenix to be hers... and we get to see why, later in the book.

But, certain events occur, that make Veronyka not want to be around Val, so she leaves her sister in search of more eggs, and other animages (animal magic; people who can control animals with magic), but she isn’t allowed to join them to train to be a rider.

Why?

Because she’s a girl, and at the time there were hardly any eggs left so they only let the boys train, so Veronyka disguises herself as a boy, and calls herself Nyk.

Mhmm that's all I'm going to say... and judging from the epilogue, there's going to be a book two, and it's going to be epic. YOU NEED TO GET THIS. I highly recommend it!

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