Go read this book! Sapphic enemies to lovers that is based on Russian folklore…need I say more??

These Feathered Flames is a YA political high fantasy story that follows twin sisters Asya and Izaveta. One sister destined to become the legendary fire bird, while the other is destined to become the next queen. The sisters are forced off their individual paths and are reunited after their mother’s death. I loved the political aspects of this story and the romance was very well done and so swoon worthy! I am so excited to see where the story takes us in the next book!

I’m really upset that I couldn’t get into this one since I did look forward to it for months but when I finally got the chance to read it, it was a big let down for me!

This book had all of the tropes that draw me to a book, especially with it being enemies to lovers but I was just SO bored while reading this book that I just didn’t finish it because I felt like I was literally dragging myself through it. When I read the first couple of chapters, I was intrigued and felt like I was going to enjoy this story but after that, it just fell flat for me.

Also, I know this is a Russian retelling but all of the Russian words in this book, ESPECIALLY the names, made it really hard to follow along. I 100% didn’t know which character was which by the 50% mark and just couldn’t read it anymore. All of the names seemed so similar to me and I just couldn’t remember a single one.

One thing I did enjoy and the reason it’s getting 2 stars are the two main girls. They do give off Sansa and Aria vibes which I’m here for and I felt like I knew these characters but all of the rest were definitely flat.

Maybe it gets better after the 50% mark but I had to put it down for now.

Twin sisters Asya and Izaveta are destined for greatness. One was born for the throne, and one to inherit the ancient magic of the Firebird. As legend dictates, the sisters parted ways at a young age, each forced to prepare for their respective role. Trained by her resolute aunt, Asya fears the fiery power burning inside her, and the terrible punishments she will be duty-bound to enact as the next Firebird. Within the walls of the palace, Izaveta lives in the shadow of her cold and relentless mother, the current queen of Tourin. The two sisters couldn’t be farther apart, but when their mother suddenly passes away, Asya and Izaveta are brought back together once more. As a new Firebird and queen rise side-by-side, the twin princesses must deal with shifty court politics, the fading magic of their land, and their mother’s mysterious death.

Enemies-to-lovers romance, intriguing magic, and sisterhood collide in Alexandra Overy’s YA fantasy debut, These Feathered Flames, a queer retelling of the Russian folktale, “The Firebird.” Asya and Izaveta are complicated characters that I couldn’t help but root for at every turn. The former is a reluctant Chosen One whose dangerous power makes her question where she ends and the Firebird begins. Within the world of These Feathered Flames, magic comes with a price, and when that price is not freely given, Asya herself must collect it by whatever means necessary. Through her character arc, Overy interrogates themes of power, duty, and morality with honesty and a sharp edge. Readers will be left wondering if, when the flames settle, there will be anything human left of Asya—or if she will become the monster everyone else believes her to be. Izaveta is equally compelling, though in different ways. Raised to never feel good enough for her mother, she’s driven to prove herself by outsmarting her opponents; and while she may project the image of a pristine ruler, behind the mask, Izaveta is also dealing with her own demons. The intricate dynamic between these two heroines lies at the center of this story, serving as its fiery, beating heart. Epic and emotional, These Feathered Flames is not to be missed!

(Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)

Alexandra Overy weaves a gorgeous, intricate tale of intrigue, betrayal and magic in These Feathered Flames. Exploring complicated (to say the least) sister relationships, what it means to be a monster and the power of choice against the backdrop of a lushly developed Russian inspired fantasy world, this novel rekindles the ancient myth of the Firebird for a modern audience. Masterfully written, These Feathered Flames will leave you reeling and desperate for more.

I loved this book! The plot is so intricately and cleverly written, allowing the reader to feel completely entrenched in each narrator’s perspective, all while holding back secrets that had me genuinely gasping once revealed. The politics are interesting and I really enjoyed reading about them. I think Overy does a really good job of creating tension through the political intrigue and scheming happening in the book, both from our narrators and side characters, and I really just didn’t know who to trust or what to believe. I felt out of my depth with the politics at times – but in a really good way that helped me empathise with the narrators who were similarly struggling, especially Asya, without compromising my enjoyment of the novel. My only criticism of the book was that I found it a bit slow in the middle, but the strong start and explosive finish definitely make up for it!

The characters in this book were similarly strong. The narrators, Izaveta and Asya, were both so interesting to read from and I really loved seeing how their different upbringings and circumstances had impacted them and made them so different from each other, as well as them each trying to reconcile this new version of their sister with what they remembered from childhood. Their relationship was the highlight of this book and I really enjoyed this exploration of complicated sister relationships and the conflict between familial love and duty. I also adored the relationship between Asya and Yuliana, the bodyguard assigned to her. The enemies to lovers aspect was written really well, with a believable conflict and gradual warming up to each other and I just loved their scenes together!

The worldbuilding was also incredibly well done. It was clear that the author had put a lot of research in and it really paid off! I loved that this culture was so steeped in tradition and history and that it flowed so naturally with the story, without need to explain every tiny detail. I just wish I’d known there was a pronunciation guide before I started because wow, was I pronouncing things wrong. This worldbuilding tied in so well with the political conflicts of the book and really gave depth to them. The magic system was really interesting to read and I loved the role it played, both politically and in relationships, and I can’t wait to see how these conflicts are resolved in the sequel. And who doesn’t love bears you can ride?

These Feathered Flames is a vibrant, richly imagined debut, full of political intrigue, complex relationships and magic. If two sisters irrevocably divided by the same magic binding them together and conflicts between duty, love and free choice interest you, then you need to pick this book up – especially if, like me, you love a good sapphic enemies to lovers relationship! I highly recommend this book and can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel!

What first drew me into These Feathered Flames is the fact that it's sapphic. Then I learned it's a retelling of a Russian folklore. Then I learned it stars twin sisters. Those are enough to intrigue me so thoroughly. And when I read this book, with the perfectly flawed Asya and Izabeta, their relationship as siblings, the delicious enemies-to-lovers romance, and the gasp-inducing finale...wow.

4.5 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley & Inkyard Press for allowing me to read an arc of 'These Feathered Flames" in exchange for an honest review.

A refreshed retelling of the Russian Firebird tale filled with twin sisters following different paths, one to become queen, the other to become the firebird, and the heavy responsibility of both.

I have never heard of the firebird tale, but the magic system's influence is fascinating, a price for magic users, and it ranges with the fact that their magical source is depleting. The switching between the sister was also interesting as their minds were similar in different ways but held their own individualities!

I am never very versed in politics, so I was confused or thrown at points because of that. This is my own thing, but it did affect my enjoyment of the story. Also, I adore the sapphic element within the story, but it was only in the last 100 pages I felt it, and now I am desperate for more, the potential is there in the sequel, but I want it now.

I cannot wait for the sequel after that ending; so many questions, possibilities and theories!

This book grabbed my attention at once. It is interesting and magical. I can't wait to share it with students!

I'm always up for a new retelling, and how could I have said no to this queer take on The Firebird folktale?

When twin heirs are born in the land of Tourin, their fates are decided. One is to be queen, the other to be the fierce Firebird. Trapped within a human body, the Firebird is a creature of legend who keeps the balance of magic in the world. When spells are done without the proper price paid, the Firebird tracks them down to extract the necessary dues. It could be as small as the loss of a finger or as devastating as death. When their mother suddenly dies, Asya becomes the firebird and Izaveta prepares to take the crown. But after being separated for years, the sisters no longer recognize the other. Worse, their mother's death was not natural, and someone in the palace has cast a terrible, powerful spell without paying the price. Thus follows a tale of political intrigue, religious and magic fear-mongering, and a mystery unraveled in flames, blood and love.

Having never read the Firebird folktale, I cannot speak to how close this was to the original. However, as far as retellings go, the story itself was well-crafted. The world is vast with lots of Russian influence on society and palace life. I really love that in this world there are bears to ride, rather than the usual horses. What I was most intrigued by and am looking forward to seeing more of in the sequel is the Fading. Magic is dying in the land, with higher and higher prices required for the simplest of spells, and it is evidenced by the ever dimming lake of moonlight. And while the gods slash saints that influence the ways of life are integrated effortlessly into every day life, I wish it had played into the story more. I'm realizing now that I don't really have much more to comment on because this the world really pales in comparison to the characters.

From start to finish this is a heavily character-driven tale. The two sisters, once inseperable, are now strangers to each other. Their troubled relationship is a big part of the plot, and things between them are very strained with neither recognizing the other after the years spent apart, shaped by their prospective futures. They really are polar opposites in terms of personality, and it was interesting to see how they navigated around each other.

Izaveta is to be the next queen, and she learned well from her mother how to manipulate, scheme and twist every pretty word into lies. There is a great sense of paranoia to her as she is unable to trust most people in her circle. From her POV we get the court machinations and political intrigue while she struggles to hold onto her crown before the church--or worse--tries to take it from her. She is a girl who would kill you in an instant if it weren't frowned upon by society.

Asya is the new firebird, whether she likes it or not. There is so much about her role that she does not like after watching her aunt balance the magic scales as the previous Firebird. Asya does not want to be associated with such a monster, nor does she want to embrace the power threatening to unfold within her. Having lived in the woods for the last seven years, she is not built for court life anymore. With her we see more of the bloody mysteries, such as attempts to kidnap her and trying to understand who may have killed their mother. She could absolutely kill you in one second flat, but would really rather not.

I think my biggest problem with this is that the political intrigue was somewhat lost on me. There are a lot of characters named in different positions, but I could not keep half of them straight in the first half. By the time I figured out who was important to follow, I'd missed much of the nuance in the beginning that setting up these characters and the difficulties the two sisters face. I also sadly didn't buy the romance. It was a slow burn enemies-to-lovers, but very little effort was put into making it believable or rootable. The little touches, the softer moments--I didn't get enough to think that there might be something there. For example, I almost missed the first kiss because it came across as very lackluster and unexpected. And considering how the book ended, I have my doubts that it will transform into something more.

This was a solid debut with a great ending that leaves the sequel wide open for possibility! Can't wait to find out how it ends next year! Looking forward to participating in the blog tour for this as well!

Wow I really didn't like this. I'm shocked. I've been looking forward to this one for a while and I was just so bored. It started out well enough, but I honestly think I was only into the first 20-30% of it. Afterward, it just dragged and I felt like I couldn't connect with anything.

Let me see if I can explain this next critique adequately enough... there were a lot of Russian words in here. And I couldn't tell if they were actual Russian words or if they were words that just sounded Russian. Yes, yes, I know it's based on a Russian folktale, but it's also a book written in English for English-speaking/reading people and I just felt like the amount of Russian-like words I was reading was a bit too much. I could guess what most were supposed to mean through context clues, but it just didn't make for an enjoyable reading experience for me.

I felt like I skimmed the last quarter of the book because I was just done at that point and wanted it to be over. It's not a 1 star because I didn't actively hate it, but I definitely didn't like it so 2 stars it is.

These Feathered Flames by Alexandra Overy is an immersive Russian folk tale retelling that took me on an emotional journey of self-discovery while hanging on to the edge of my seat.

What I Loved

The main characters, twin sisters Asya and Izaveta, held me in their thrall for the entire book. They were both irrevocably scarred by their destiny and upbringing, which provides many layers and textures in their development. I'm not sure that I genuinely liked either sister, but I did feel compassion for their reactions to the cards life had dealt them, particularly Asya, who comes across as more sincere. Whereas Iza, raised by a master manipulator, shows that she learned her lessons well.

I loved the themes of family connection and balance and how they intertwined, playing out in twisty turny ways that still surprise me as I think back on the story. The last third of the book is so shocking that all of a sudden, I no longer felt lost in descriptions and instead sat upright and couldn't turn the pages fast enough. The twist at the very end reminded me of my favorite psychological thriller endings with its feeling of foreboding and even creepiness. I enjoyed this immensely.

I also enjoyed learning more about the Firebird, a fiercely overwhelming defender of the balance between magic and humanity. The role is fascinating, and the telling is so compelling. I could feel what it must be like to be born to such an essential yet terrible destiny. The Firebird's responsibility means living a life of uncompromising solitude, as for it to be any different would open the door to gray areas that are not part of the Firebird's world. A Firebird must remain black and white when maintaining the balance that the survival of humanity depends on.

The manner the story is told reminds me of the tone and style of a genuine folktale, and I enjoyed that immensely. It's very character-driven, as many folktales are, though, at times, the descriptive language took over, and I found myself having trouble seeing the story through the words. Even though I became somewhat lost in the descriptions, they provided what world-building exists.

To read or not to read

If you are looking for an immersive and compelling fantasy story, then look no further. This story will leave you on the edge of your seat and have you anxiously waiting for the next book in the series.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

Oh my GOD. I love Russian inspired fantasy, I love fairytales, I love morally grey characters, I love queer romance, and I love sister bonds.

If you like even one of those things, READ THIS BOOK! I was slightly surprised that it was almost 500 pages but it did NOT feel that long. I absolutely adored this book and did not see the plot twists coming, and I am obsessed.

I initially went into this book full of hope because, come on, it's a retelling of one of my favorite fairy tales, The Firebird. And it's definitely a different enough fantasy Russia that it works in that aspect.

The good parts: THEY RIDE BEARS! They treat bears like horses. I just...really love bears, okay? I also like Asya alright. She's a vegetarian, as her one "remaining bit of humanity" since her role as Firebird is brutal. It doesn't play a ~major~ role in the story, but it was one of those fun character quirks I liked seeing included. I liked the idea of Nikov, the scholar. He's pretty cool but didn't really add a whole lot to the overall story. The action (for me) really picked up around the 72% mark, and I really enjoyed the book from then to about the 99% mark. The epilogue sets up the sequel well, but I didn't really dig it that much. I'm sorry.

The parts that weren't my jam (but might be yours): the political intrigue. Normally, I'm all for IRL chess, machinations, all of that. But there was *so much* happening all at once that I felt like it was hard to hold the thread of the end goal. Like the council wants Izabeta to not be queen, but do they just dislike her or the idea of continuing the monarchy (which would be a fun idea to explore in the current climate). The lack of communication between Asya and Izabeta also irritated me. I know Iza grew up being told to trust no one, but like. It's her twin sister. Come on, now. (I'm learning that lack of communication is one of my frustrations in stories, now. Yay for growing up.)

Overall, it's a cool concept, with interesting ideas. But I kind of feel like it was maybe 100 pages too long, with some threads left untouched after they were introduced. I give it 3.5 out of 5 Mishkas. Thank you to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for providing a copy in exchange for review, and for including me on the blog tour!

It would be 3,5* rounded to 4.
I'm a bit on the fence about this book. There's plenty of potential, it's enjoyable but I think some more character and world building development would be needed.
I know it's loosely based on the Russian legend of the Firebird but I would have preferred to learn something more about the story, the magical system, the religion of this world.
There's plenty of references but i felt you never get any specific information.
The characters are interesting but I think that the secondary characters were more developed that the main one. The twins were likable and interesting but we learn about them through endless internal monologue that sometimes are bit boring.
The plot is well developed even if it brags a bit. I'm curious to know what will happen and hope that there will be some more character development and information about this world.
I enjoyed it and read it quite fast. I assume that some of my objections are due to the fact that I think that the author can do a lot more and this could be a great series.
Many thanks to Inkyard Press and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

4.5 stars

These Feathered Flames traces the undying love between two sisters, who were separated at a very young age, due to their family's traditions, and for the safety of their kingdom. Izaveta, spent her years at the royal palace, studying the politics of court and preparing to become the next queen, after her mother. Asya, on the other hand was sent away to train with her aunt, the Firebird, so that one day, she could stand in her aunt's stead.

I went into this book completely oblivious to the rollercoaster of emotions it would put me through. Izaveta and Asya hadn't seen each other for seven years, and inevitably, tension ensued. It was enchanting to see their relationship develop throughout the story and how they ended up rekindling their sisterly bond. Along with this, they're also going through a state of grief regarding the loss of their mother, the queen of Tourin.

Izaveta has to keep up with the pressure of the royal court, that throws challenges at her from all angles. She closes herself off from those who care about her, and finds it hard to share her feelings. Asya struggles with finding her true identity, as well as trying to control her newfound powers.

The character development for both of them was spectacular to read about. As I finished the book, I couldn't help but think about how far all the characters had come from when I first read about them and if I'm being honest, it made me emotional. I was able to connect with these characters, and became attached to them through the course of this book.

I loved the queer representation in this book, and the enemies-to-lovers romance was to die for. It was the epitome of the perfect trope and I adored it with every inch of my heart.

The worldbuilding of These Feathered Flames made me wish I could be there with the characters. It taught me a lot about Russian folklore and how it plays a part in the real world. Of course, like all other fantasy novels, it was a little hard to get used to but I promise you, it's worth it in the end. </p>

The plot was fast-paced and there was something or the other happening in every scene. This made me want to know more and kept me rooted to my seat. The names of the different characters were quite confusing as the members of Izaveta's court had similar ones and sometimes I couldn't place them in their respective scenes.

And that ending. I still can't get over that ending. There are so many questions left flitting across my mind and I'm hoping they get answered in the next book. Do you ever feel broken inside but don't shed a single tear? Because that's what this book did to me.

If you're looking for an enthralling fantasy novel with an outstanding enemies-to-lovers romance, that will probably touch your heart, then you, my friend, are in the right place.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

These Feathered Flames sounded incredibly promising: a queer retelling of “The Firebird?” Granted, I don’t know the original tale very well, but I don’t think that was a factor in my lack of enjoyment, especially as I’ve enjoyed books influenced by Russian folklore in the past.

And I think a couple of the other early critical reviews have helped me to pin down why that is: this virtual tome of a book (clocking in at just under 500 pages) is too much on the character-driven side, without much emphasis on plot. Nothing happened. It just ended up being a bit of a slog through chapter after chapter of introspection, without much action. For the length it is, I would have expected more: more world building (where the heck are we? Not in actual Russia, but I can’t say more than that beyond “vague fantasy world inspired by Russsia”), more development of the magic and political systems, more keeping the story going.

And the characters were…ok. The author pitched the relationship between Izaveta and Asya as very similar to Sansa and Arya, and that does come through. Each has their own unique challenges in their respective roles, and in theory, if works. I just never fully felt connected to them on a deeper level, even though I was spending so much time in their heads. If there had been some balance between being told through their internal monologue and some action expressing similar things, I might have felt more for them.

This is a good example of a great concept, but poor execution. But it also depends on your reader preferences, as if you like a slower story with emphasis on character thought over action, it might work better for you.

Twin heirs are born in Tourin, so Izaveta stayed at court to learn the ways of court and rule, and Asya is taken to her aunt, the Firebird, to learn the ways of magic. Before Asya's training is completed, the powers come to life inside of her, a sign that the Queen is dead. Izaveta and Asya now have to figure out who to trust, what their future will be, and who killed their mother.

These Feathered Flames is a queer retelling of the Russian tale The Firebird. The beginning makes it clear that the Firebird is important for the balance of magic, and Asya is very uncomfortable with the role and uncertain of her abilities. Izaveta is trapped within the gilded halls of the palace, where loyalty is bought and no one, even family, can be trusted. Those aspects of the book are very common in YA retelling, so I had to go a little further to get truly hooked into the story. The intrigue got to me, as well as the tension between the sisters. One has magic that is sometimes beyond her control, hoping she doesn't have to be an Inhuman creature to do her duty to nature. The other shutters away emotions and interpersonal connections so that she'd be constantly anxious and on guard, alone even among those who profess to be allies.

Aspects of the world are beautiful. The idea of riding bears, a lake of magic, the palace, and the balls are well rendered and a stunning backdrop to this tale of intrigue and betrayal. Magic comes at a cost, and anyone can cast a spell if they're willing to pay the price. That can be anything from hair or a few drops of blood to a limb or heart. Of course, this can cause resentment and fear, leading to more questions than answers in the beginning. It's hard to really get a grasp on any of the characters other than the twins, who we're meant to sympathize with. Between them, I like Asya best.

The queerness doesn't take a huge role in the first half of the book. It's self-doubt and treachery that are bigger obstacles to overcome. Until the very end of the novel, betrayal and secrets plague the sisters. Justice comes at a high cost, and possibly the hint of a future novel in this world.

I give this 3.5/5 stars. I came to this book because Russian folktale plus queer romance plus twin sisters running an at-risk kingdom. I was not disappointed on any of these fronts, really, but this book looses a couple stars for me because there was just SO much kingdom/back-stabbing/plotting/intrigue storyline. I totally get that this storyline is essential to the foundation of what is essentially a kingdom-tale with a flippin' Firebird that tracks down and punishes errant magic users. But all the intrigue and who is/isn't my enemy gave me a lot of anxiety not unlike "Game of Thrones." That being said, I really loved the two sisters and how their relationship was written. They each hold so much pain from their mother and their own life circumstances but they still manage to get beyond that and love one another. I must say I really really really wanted more Firebird stuff. As I said, I understand the need for the kingdom backstory, but I just really wanted to read about a girl learning her inner punishing-firebird skills tracking down folks and exacting her payment. I think, given that this is the first book, there is still much more to learn about the Firebird and what her powers really mean, whether her taking a price is really the reason for the magic Fade. I hope we see more jerky cabinet members ousted and taught a lesson because that vibiship character was really terrible, as are all culty members of ancient kingdom stories.

Between Asya and Izaveta's complicated sister dynamic, the court intrigue, and the Russian folklore, These Feathered Flames is just about the coolest book I've read in a long time. Overy's writing style is immersive and descriptive, and my favorite parts were when the Firebird was described. It's impossible to glean who you can trust as the reader, because it's equally as impossible for the sisters to figure it out, either. The final quarter of the novel was so well-done and worth the buildup. I can't wait for the sequel!

I absolutely adored THESE FEATHERED FLAMES by Alexandra Overy! This book was everything I could have wanted and more. First, it has an exceptionally well thought up magic system within a fantastical world. BEARS YOU CAN RIDE. Two sisters with the truest depiction of a sibling relationship I've ever seen. ENEMIES TO LOVERS!!! GAY!!!! My favorite book of recent memory. I loved reading this and am waiting SO IMPATIENTLY for the next book. Alexandra has created a phenomenal character driven world with great twists and turns. The prose is well crafted and beautiful as well. Have no hesitation in picking up this novel!

I really enjoyed everything about this book. Twins, a fascinating magic system, the mythical Firebird as more than just a passing reference. This is one of the more innovative and engaging YA tales out there.