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.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. 4 stars

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!!

If I had to review These Feathered Flames by Alexandra Overy in one sentence, it would be simple: I LOVED IT.

This novel was probably one of my all-time favorite YA fantasy books! I actually read it almost an entire year ago, and I can still remember it with such clarity because it was just so good. I simply cannot wait to read its sequel, This Cursed Crown. And with This Cursed Crown having been just published, I thought it would be the perfect time to revisit my thoughts about this fantastical novel!

In These Feathered Flames, the Russian folktale The Firebird is reimagined for a modern YA audience. In the world of Tourin, there are twin heirs. One, Izaveta, was designed to rule as the future queen, and her sister, Asya, was fated to become the next Firebird, a magical being who ensures that magical costs are always repaid. When their mother, the reigning queen, dies unexpectedly, both sisters are thrust into their new positions much sooner than anticipated and have to deal with the consequences these responsibilities entail.

The worldbuilding showcased in These Feathered Flames is so immersive and creative. The magical system in particular was so well designed. Every aspect of this novel was perfectly constructed from the plot to the character development. I felt like the narration revealed just the right amount to keep your interest hooked but also left you guessing until just the right moment. Between the political intrigue, relational dynamics, building tension, the unexpected plot reveals, (and that cliffhanger ending!) this novel truly has it all.

Asya and Izaveta were both fantastic leads. They had very different personalities and challenges to overcome. And I loved seeing them and their complicated relationship develop as the story progressed. Watching Izaveta learn to manage the complicated political conflicts she’s been abruptly thrown into after only ever watching from the sidelines. Following Asya as she comes to terms with the power raging inside of her that she has always only ever feared.

And I haven’t even brought up their budding relationships with others yet! All I’ll say is Overy definitely knows how to do enemies-to-lovers.

I actually loved both sisters’ romantic developments. I find in books where there are multiple leads, I often enjoy one’s storyline more than the other. But that never happened here! I really enjoyed seeing both of them navigate their own storylines and build their romances. Not only did I love both main characters, but I also enjoyed both of their love interests! They were both so fantastic in their own right.

If you’re a fan of YA fantasy, These Feathered Flames is an absolute must-read. Fingers crossed the follow-up is just as fantastic!

Thank you to the publisher, Inkyard Press/Harlequin and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book. All thoughts are my own.

I will not be giving feedback on this book as I couldn’t really get into it but I think others may enjoy it.

Apologise for the lateness of this review.

I absolutely loved this book and I cannot wait for the second one to release.

The story of Asya and Izabeta is amazing, heartwarming and heartbreaking.

The fast pace and the political intrigue and twists and turns had me hooked. Highly recommend.