I enjoyed the Russian folklore inspiration and setting! Unfortunately I didn't fully connect with the story or characters. I enjoyed Asya's storyline with the Firebird elements, but I didn't connect with Izaveta's storyline. I typically enjoy court intrigue but I wanted more out of the relationship between the sisters.

Thank you to Inkyard Press for the earc. All thoughts are my own.

This was an OK book that took me some time to get used to the writing style. Overall, a fine story, but had some repeative elements to it, especially the politics. I also felt like it could have been shorter. All in all a good YA read.

These Feathered Flames by Alexandra Overy is such a lush, magical read! The mix of politics, sibling drama, and folklore makes it so gripping. I loved how Asya and Izaveta’s relationship was messy but real. If you’re into slow-burn fantasy with complex characters and high stakes, this one’s for you!

I wish I’d had this book as a teenager! For a debut this was very well written. The magic system was definitely my favorite part, as I believe it’s hard to have a good, well written and well thought out magic system in young adult fantasies. Overy executed foreshadowing extremely well without being predictable. This being sapphic was the cherry on the cake.

If you love Russian folklore, sapphic enemies to lovers, political machinations or are looking for a well-written fantasy read, check this book out.

A retelling of a Russian folktale? I loved this idea! The characters were well developed, but the world building was asking for more.

This is a lesbian retelling of the Russian folktale “The Firebird.” It follows the points of view of twin sisters, one raised to become queen and the other raised to develop her magical abilities. This is another F/F enemies-to-lovers romance!

This was my time reading Alexandra Overy. I love fantasy books and incorporating folklore is an added bonus. Most of the folklore inspired books I’ve read are with Chinese folklore, so Russian was a refreshing mix. Interesting plot and characters. Would read more books from this author.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of <i>These Feathered Flames</i> in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

<h4 style="margin-top: 84px;">The Gist</h4>

<i>These Feathered Flames</i> invites readers into a lush and magical world where elemental powers and complex relationships take center stage. This young adult fantasy weaves together themes of duty, sisterhood, and the enduring power of self-discovery.

<h4>The Details</h4>

The novel introduces readers to twin sisters, Asya and Izaveta, who possess opposing elemental abilities—fire and ice. Overy deftly explores the dynamics of their relationship, creating characters with depth and nuance. The magical system, based on elemental affinities, adds an enchanting layer to the narrative.

One of the strengths of the novel is its vivid world-building. The fantastical kingdom, its traditions, and the looming threat create a compelling backdrop for the unfolding story. Overy's descriptive prose brings the setting to life, immersing readers in a world where magic and political intrigue coexist.

The narrative unfolds at a steady pace, balancing moments of introspection with high-stakes action. The dual perspectives of the sisters offer insight into their contrasting experiences and perspectives, deepening the emotional impact of the story.

Certain plot elements can be seen as predictable, particularly if familiar with traditional fantasy tropes. Additionally, while the relationship between the sisters is central, other character dynamics could have been explored in greater detail to enhance the overall richness of the story.

<h4>The Verdict</h4>

Overall, <i>These Feathered Flames</i> is a captivating entry into the world of young adult fantasy. Alexandra Overy's storytelling skill and imaginative world-building create a promising foundation for the series, offering readers a magical journey filled with elemental powers, political intrigue, and the enduring bonds of sisterhood.

I really enjoyed this ARC I got for winning a contest by the author. It took me a while to get to it but it was a solid book with good characters and a compelling plot.

I'll definitely be back to write a more further in depth review but in a nutshell this book just didn't do it for me.

The reason why I have to come back to write this is because I don't even remember the characters name. I really couldn't care for either of them which leads me to not even remember their names.

The plot of the story didn't really kick in until later and it was so generic that it didn't even hit a wow factor.

There were some interesting aspects about this book, but overall it was underwhelming and I couldn't wait to get it over with.

Interesting take on Russian folklore! I loved the dynamic between the sisters, as well as the slow-burn romance. There were a few pacing issues, but overall a great read!

Russian Folktale. YA. Enemies to Lovers. F/F. What is there not to love!? I thought the writing was a bit bumpy at times but the VIBES were immaculate and honestly the entertainment value was so high it made up for the occasionally clunky writing.

Fantasy is one of my favorite genres, and fantasies with difficult sister relationships are particularly a favorite of mine. So this drew my eye immediately.

As Izaveta prepares to be crowned, her sister inherits the fabled power of the Firebird. And the political intrigue filling the royal court means that their goals for the queendom may be incompatible with them rebuilding their relationship.

This was such a fascinating story. I loved the expansive world building we got, although I would have loved to know more about how the magic works in this world. Political intrigue isn’t usually my jam, but reading about how it was affecting Izaveta and her relationships was powerful.

And the relationship between the two sisters takes center stage here. They’ve been separated for years, trained and molded to fit their respective roles, and the fissure between them only grows as they try to reconcile their duties and their familial relationship. It was messy and difficult and I was 100% invested.

I could have done without the epilogue, which seemed like nothing more than sequel bait. But everything else, even the slight romance was interesting enough that I will definitely be looking up the sequel!

Thanks to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for this advance reader’s copy.

This one had a great premise, but the execution just wasn’t there for me.
I wasn’t connected at all to the sisters or their story.
This one just wasn’t for me.

A good start to the duology, the ending leaves you wondering what could possibly be done in book #2 to make that wish happen (trying not to spoil anything). I like that the story is based on Russian folklore, that was cool. The sisters were written well, both were strong willed and raised to fulfill their individual roles. I liked their interactions after they reunited, just like real sisters, they loved each other but fought.

This was a solid YA fantasy debut. It had interesting lore, a complicated sibling dynamic, and just enough action to keep me interested, However, this book definitely had pacing issues that are common in YA fantasy. The middle dragged on for quite a bit and then it felt like everything that could have happened throughout the course of the whole book happened in the last 75 pages. Some of the descriptions felt overly wordy, which contributed to the mid-way lag. I enjoy how the main relationship explored in the book are the two sisters, with just a bit of romance happening on the side. Overall, I enjoyed this book enough to read the sequel.

I didn’t have time for this book when I was approved. I plan to read it in the future though. Looks fun!

I was immediately intrigued by this book after reading the synopsis but had to give up about 55% into the book. The story was confusing and slow and I honestly was bored reading it. I found the whole thing uninteresting and the queer aspect was super awkward and uncomfortable.

I thought this was a stunning book, with sisters who are set on two very different life paths yet still find their way back to each other. We have political intrigue, secret church sects who are in an evil mission, and lots of action! I listened to the audiobook on my holiday commute, and it was excellent. Definitely recommend this read if you love a good fantasy story!!