Title: Crown of Feathers
Author: Nicki Pau Preto
Pages: 477
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Published: 12th February 2019
Rating: 5/5 stars

*spoiler warning*

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. Interspersed throughout is the story of Avalkyra Ashfire, the last Rider queen, who would rather see her empire burn than fall into her sister’s hands. Sometimes the title of queen is given. Sometimes it must be taken.

My thoughts:
Crown of Feathers is an amazing book full of action, friendship, heartbreak, betrayal and most importantly, Phoenixes! I absolutely couldn’t put it down! 😍 Crown of Feathers follows Veronyka, Tristan and Sev on their separate journeys through the war torn land known as The Golden Empire. After a fierce war brought the near extinction of the Phoenix Riders, legendary fighters who fought on the backs of flaming phoenixes, Veronyka and her sister Val attempt to hatch two phoenix eggs they found while traveling through the ruined lands of Pyra.

When one of the eggs fails to hatch, and the lone phoenix that survived bonds with Veronyka, Val makes a grave decision in an attempt to show Veronyka that she doesn’t have what it takes to be a rider. This choice breaks the two sisters apart. Veronyka cannot deal with the betrayal of her sister and leaves on her own to find the Riders herself. However, there is a bit of a problem… The Riders only train boys.

Tristan is a Phoenix Rider. And the son of Commander Cassian, which means he has big boots to fill. Impressing his father is not an easy task and Tristan, as an animage, puts himself under a lot of pressure to prove himself. When he meets a young boy named Nyk, he is tasked with training him under the watchful eye of the Commander. As the two develop a friendship, Nyk helps Tristan with his animage abilities and to overcome his fear of fire, which as a Phoenix Rider, is a bit problematic.

Sev is a Golden Empire soldier (and an animage in disguise). He has joined the very army that destroyed his village and killed his parents, Phoenix Riders who gave their lives on the battlefield, in order to survive. When he comes across two girls and a phoenix, he finally begins to feel like he’s worth something again and begins to plot with the captured mageslaves to take down the army.

However, as the army marches closer to the Rider’s stronghold in the mountains, Veronyka, Tristan and Sev’s paths converge, and a fierce battle takes place which will determine the fate of the Riders and their phoenixes. Veronyka is definitely my favourite character in the book. She changes so much as a character from the beginning of the story to where she is at the end. I can’t wait to see where the next book takes her and how she develops from the quiet, curious little girl who always did what her sister told her to do, to the fierce warrior I know she will become 💪

Crown of Feathers is definitely a must read for fantasy fans! It is the first book in a planned trilogy. The second book Heart of Flames was just released yesterday (11th February) and my copy is on the way! I’m so excited to read it!! 😍 Hope you all enjoyed my review 😀 Have you read Crown of Feathers yet? Let me know what you thought of it in the comments 😀 Bye guys, happy reading! x

About the author

Nicki Pau Preto is a young adult fantasy author living just outside Toronto, Canada. After getting a degree in visual arts, a master’s in art history, and a diploma in graphic design, Nicki discovered two things: she loved to escape the real world, and she wasn’t interested in a regular nine-to-five life. Luckily, her chosen career covers both.

Book Reviews blog blogger book bookblog bookdragon bookish booklovers bookreview bookshelf bookstagram bookworm crownoffeathers fantasy heartofflames nickipaupreto read readerlife readers reading Review YA yafantasy