I really, really wanted to love this book. Phoenixes? Clashing sisters? Powerful warriors? It had all the ingredients for a fabulous, lush epic fantasy. I had high expectations - and maybe that's why I feel so let down.

First of all, the first few chapters were such an info-dump. I couldn't get into the plot because it was basically a long winded explanation with bits of dialogue in between. I was left with the impression that the characters must have just been standing there staring at each other for ages while a voice over narrator explained various aspects of the world and its history. EVERYTHING in the first third of the book was dampened by the exposition.

Second, the frequent POV shifts were just confusing. I would finally start to feel invested in a character and then be shifted to another character. Usually I don't mind POV shifts, but this felt like too many, too quickly.

Third, the earth-shattering revelation that everyone is so shocked about? I wasn't shocked at all. I realized it by the end of the first or second chapter. Which isn't bad in and of itself, but... just underwhelming. Maybe it was just obvious to me, though.

But worst of all, I absolutely HATED Veronyka. She's touted by others as a sweet, idealistic girl - but I just find her annoying and irrational. Yes, she was betrayed. But she vacillates so quickly between anger and remorse and love and hate and helplessness and determination that it's dizzying. I prefer a slower build up in character development, and frankly, less volatile emotions. In one scene she begs for an explanation and in what feels like two seconds later, she is storming off and refusing to listen.

Now, it's not all bad. It's just not what I expected. I still like the idea of phoenix riders. I still like Val. I still like the magic. And maybe these issues will be resolved in some editing - after all, I'm commenting on an ARC. Here's hoping the second book will be better. I'm guessing it will be, because Nicki Pau Preto writes great prose - and now that the premise has been thoroughly set up, maybe the second half of the story will be much more engaging.

Omg.
I LOVE this book. The world building, vivid descriptions, the compelling and complex characters, the bond between the phoenixes and their riders, romance. It was just perfect.
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!

For readers of Anne McCaffrey, Mercedes Lackey, and Tamora Pierce, this exciting YA fantasy hits all the right buttons. Sentient bonded animals! Evil empire! Rebel forces in hiding! Girl dresses up as boy in order to join group of Phoenix Riders!

The world has been ripped apart by a terrible war between two warrior queens. Now, the Phoenix Riders are in hiding, and two sisters, Veronyka and Val, barely survive as refugees. Val is domineering and overly controlling, and Veronyka must learn to be self-sufficient if she is to follow her dream of joining the Riders.

Preto takes some rather common tropes of YA fantasy and turns them into a compelling, if somewhat predictable, story, although the last few chapters set up what could be a very intriguing sequel. The world-building is impressive, but a bit heavy-handed; the author needs to learn to integrate background information rather more smoothly. I found the “info-dumping” pushed me out of the story rather than moved it along. Overall, though, I would recommend it to a younger YA audience and will look forward to the sequel.

I was provided a copy of this book by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.