4/5 stars, this was a really fun fantasy that kept me on my toes

Thank you to Orbit Books for the physical arc and arc through netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

Phoenixes are my absolute favorite mythical creatures and I always love seeing how fantasy authors create a space for them in their world. While initially, I expected there to be more representation of phoenixes in this world, I honestly think the story ended up better with the mystery surrounding the creature/god. The mystery of the phoenix god and a prophecy coming about really drove the story forward and I loved how thrilling this was. The Ravani Kingdom was a great place to have this story I think as well, especially as it was so isolated from other kingdoms and allowed for more questions about what was happening, especially as rebellion was an important part of the story as well. However, I think the plot did slow down a bit at times, and was a thick book, but I still really enjoyed the story overall. I loved the worldbuilding too, I haven't read a lot of books with India-inspired worldbuilding and so that's something I value reading about.

The main character Elena was so much fun to read about, especially her character growth and how she evolved throughout the story. She was always determined, but seeing how this changed as she came into her powers was so fun, as I think she will have even more of a great evolution in the second book. Yassen was also very interesting, especially with how his complicated past came into play with both his relationship with the kingdom and Elena. Samson and Ferma are side characters, linked to both Elena and Yassen, who are super interesting too and I think elevate the story. I loved them both a lot, but especially Ferma and how much she loved Elena, but also how cool she was by herself. Her hair is made of metal and she can use it to take people down and I loved that. Alongside all these characters, being able to see into the king's mind and see how he's influencing the story was a really good choice in my opinion.

The characters within the story were my favorite part, but the romance was a little lacking for me. I didn't completely feel the connection between Elena and Yassen even as the story progressed. I think that I enjoyed seeing how they came to be friends, but the possible romance was pushed a little too early for me. I do think that they will be an interesting couple and I'm not against it, but I think more slow burn and connection would be beneficial for them in the next book.

[TW: blood and gore, murder, burns and scarring, war themes]

An explosive new science fantasy that critiques systems of power, Verma’s The Phoenix King is also a testament to her skill as a wordsmith and writer to build compelling characters who take your heart in their hands.
What I first noticed about The Phoenix King is its expansive worldbuilding, and it was very clear the author had put a lot of thought into setting up the world so the pieces fell neatly into place. From the Yumi whose hair turns to blades to the economics of kingdoms that lead to war, The Phoenix King’s worldbuilding is deeply rooted and would be a treat to fans of Sanderson and Bardugo.

I also really appreciated the multi-POV narrative, which added layers to the story. Elena’s quest for power as the only Ravence who cannot wield the legendary flames means that she goes up against her revered father, Leo–who is a tyrant king obsessed with holding on to power. Instead of turning him into a mustache-twirling villain, Verma portrays him with complexity; you learn about him even as you are horrified at his choices as he walks the fine line between duty and obsession.

Yassen and Elena are incredible characters themselves. In the book marketing world where the trope ‘enemies to lovers’ has almost lost meaning, The Phoenix King’s main ship felt like a breath of fresh air; here was the trope finally done right.

Overall, The Phoenix King is an impressive debut from an exciting new voice in fantasy.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

I really, really enjoyed this one! Aparna Verma has a strong voice and creates an interesting world, captivating lore, and realistic characters in this stunning debut fantasy novel. I love the multi-POV design of the story and how each gives such a unique perspective on the same situation.

Elena is my favorite kind of main character - she's flawed but intelligent and driven and strong. The fact that she isn't perfect but strives to make the best choices she can, for her people above all else, is what makes her realistic in a setting with unbelievable magic and powers. She's a badass - a frustrating badass that I want to strangle sometimes, but an inspiring, complicated, well-written badass that you'll cheer for all the same.

Yassen is the perfect morally-grey, conflicted main character that you never really know if you can trust. His motivations are rarely clear, but I loved getting inside his head along the way.

Leo is just....god I wanted to hate him but I loved him for how interesting and different he was. He wasn't the young hero, he is the aging and grieving king just doing his best to protect his daughter and his nation using his experiences. His experience was hard won, with very little guidance, so while his choices are suspect at best, I really enjoyed his POV.

The epilogue POV....I really hope we get to keep that in the sequel! I need more information for sure and I think it would be a really great voice to hear more from.

Overall, this was a fantastic addition to the fantasy genre. I haven't read much Indian-inspired fantasy but this one had me hooked - Verma is an excellent writer and while it wasn't perfect, it was a very enjoyable read and had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. The pacing was good, the writing was strong, and the elements were all there to create a brilliant series.

Highly recommend and can't wait for more!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review
4/5
The Boy with Fire is a stunning debut novel filled with political intrigue, religious cults, mythology, and an intriguing cast of characters. The story is mostly told through three POVs: Elena, the future queen of Ravence who is seeking to maintain peace in her future kingdom, Leo, the current king and Elena's father who rules using brute force to maintain peace, and Yassen, a known traitor to the kingdom of Ravence who has been working for the rebel groups to undermine Ravence's monarchy. Together they weave a tale about the political landscape of the kingdom, and how each character seeks to reach their political ends. However, a religious cult predicts the reincarnation of the Phoenix god, a vengeful god that is consumed by wrath and destruction, which may change the fate of the Ravence kingdom. This was an excellent debut, as there are so many moving parts to this story but it never felt overwhelming. I enjoyed the care the author took in crafting her characters so that they were all interesting and had me hooked from the beginning. There's a lot of creativity in the different races of people in the book, I found the Yumi especially intriguing and hope we can learn more.
Additionally, I thought the world-building was very solid and immersive, I think the author did a great job of weaving together a high-fantasy setting with some futuristic technologies we often don't see in high fantasy. My biggest and probably only gripe with the book was the first part of the book was a bit confusing and difficult to get through. The readers are given the names of the different kingdoms and political entities crucial to the story, however, we aren't given enough information about each group. As the book goes on, it becomes clearer, but it took powering through the confusion in the first bit to fully understand the context. I really enjoyed watching the chemistry between characters change as people betray one another or get betrayed, and the ending had me SCREAMING. This book was truly a pleasure to read and I'm honestly shocked that it is a debut novel considering how well-crafted it is. I will be eagerly counting down the days until the sequel and will also be following future works by the author with great interest.

Alright, so let's chat about the beginning of this book. At first, there was sci-fi twist waiting for me. But once I wrapped my head around it, the world-building got tenfolds more fascinating! Politics + Fantasy + Sci-Fi + Romance and you get this book!

Characters: Yassen and Elena, now they're something special. They've got these strong personalities that just draw you in, and getting a sneak peek into their motivations and actions as the plot unfolds, is delightful - but like every book, there are some characters whose POVs you wait for and others that you wait for them to end.

Plot: It could be the writing style or how the chapters were set up but sometimes it was a little hard to follow. But you know what? I'm still totally on board for the rest of the series. And that ending caught me off guard - so it was completely worth it!

This was was mess. It definitely needs to go through another round of editing. I couldn’t keep up with the story. A lot of run-on sentences.

I really loved the cultural aspects to this novel. Verma gave such beautiful description inspired by her own culture which I absolutely loved. The premise was alright so I thought I'd pick it up, and it was actually better than expected. Though, it was a bit confusing and slow.

"Sometimes, the moments that define us are the moments in which we spare ourselves. They force us to examine who we truly are and what we stand for."

The Ravani kingdom was born of prophecy and ruled by the bloodline with the power to command the Eternal Fire. However, the soon-to-be-queen of the Fire Throne, Elena, doesn't have the fire of the Phoenix. Meanwhile, she doesn't anticipate the arrival of Yassen Knight, a mysterious assassin who becomes a member of her royal guard.

This is an Indian-inspired fantasy centering sacrifices, betrayals, belonging and vengeance. In this land of devotion and facing an imminent war, this tale illustrates the resilience of what people will do to survive, and it evokes the themes of power of prophecy and religion interwoven in a cluster of political intrigue that is at the heart of this book.

I enjoyed the characterization in this novel - the characters carry the burdens of their parents and the throne. This is a cast of characters with unrevealed intentions and secrets kept that, alongside their inner monologues, cultivate certain intimacy. Told from multiple POVs, each perspective has its distinct strength and I found Yassen's the most compelling/dramatic (in a good way).

The myths and diary notes that open each chapter are mesmerizing, forecasting a meticulous worldbuilding. The magic system, rooted in fire, moves differently throughout each character and its complexity should be further explored in the next installments. I always appreciate diving in the characters' background as it's required for a deeper understanding of the characters' essence.

Fascinating in some ways, the plot slogs in some parts and it's not until the last 100 pages when feats of war and chaos reverberate. The slow-burn romance worked for me and I am expecting to be more emotionally engaged in the sequels. The final pages/epilogue was jaw-dropping and redeeming.

The opening to the Ravence trilogy, THE PHOENIX KING is for those seeking a captivating plot with hidden meanings and morally grey characters - it's a debut fantasy full of sci-fi elements, deceits, politics and revolution. I am eager for the rest of the trilogy.

It took me a long time to get through <i>The Phoenix King</i> (mostly by fault of my own and the busyness of moving house) but I found that, looking back, this made my overall enjoyment of it to be a pleasant surprise.

One of my favorite things about this novel becomes apparent in the very first scene. Here, I'll just give you a snippet and maybe you'll know what I mean:

<blockquote>The rain lashed down, drenching him. It wasn't like the thunderous, refreshing monsoons that swept across the deserts of Ravence leaving a riot of color in their wake. This storm bit down, clenching the coast in its grey jaws, unwilling to relent until it blended the world into hues of slate and brown.</blockquote>

Verma is adept at establishing atmosphere through environmental descriptions. As drenched as this first chapter is, the majority of the book takes place in the desert, and I'm not sure I've ever <i>felt</i> the desert as much as I did here. (Granted, I have yet to get around to reading <i>Dune</i>.) And that's particularly important because the desert is meant to be significant, almost a character of its own, connected to the princess and part of her relation to her family's Pheonix god.

Speaking of which, another thing I appreciated about Verma's writing was just how cool the lore of this world is and how we get to discover more about it throughout. The combination of blinding metal cities and pulsefire guns with old-religion fire magic and harbingers of a prophet would be cool on its own, but what I was most excited to discover is the story of the magic itself. How did the royalty of Ravence come to hold this power? Is there really a god? A prophet? Is it inherently vengeful? Has other similar magic been forgotten? While not all of these questions were answered, there were enough hints and reveals to keep me satisfied and enticed to read the next book.

I will say, also, that there was a refreshing variety to the types of relationships portrayed: aching estrangement of a father and daughter, mutual respect between arranged spouses, tentative trust betwixt childhood friends, the unshakable bond of a princess and her lifelong bodyguard, a new and hesitant attraction coupled with both easy understanding and distrust. The potential romance was often left to simmer as our protagonists dealt with much more pressing worries.

But as much as I enjoy a slow burn, I can't be quite satisfied with the way it played out because of an aspect I kept catching hints of throughout the entire book, yet am still uncertain whether I should let myself expect. (Yes, it's a <spoiler>throuple</spoiler>. Still hoping.) Overall though, I very much appreciated the nuanced development, the yearning for connection that most of these characters felt but could hardly express.

If you enjoy a political, slow burn fantasy fraught with prophecy and rebellions - a fierce princess, hardened king, weary ex-assassin, and mysterious consort - absolutely give <i>The Phoenix King</i> a try.

And, as usual, many thanks to Orbit for generously providing me a free e-ARC for review, even when it does take me a couple months to get around to it.

Man I wanted to like this but 100 pages in and just nothing is happening. I don't love the characters, I can't imagine being interested in the sequel and once you get past the kind oddity of the scfi/fantasy blend, it's just not very well written or interesting.

Do you have a book that the universe conspires against you reading? Life just kept stopping my reading time for "The Phoenix King" by Aparna Verma.

The Ravani kingdom is ruled by those chosen by the Phoenix, able to command the Eternal Fire. Except the Heir, Elena who is about to have her coronation. Which might be a sign for the neighboring kingdom to invade if the monarch is week and there is civil unrest. To shore up their allies the King, Leo, engages his daughter to Samson, a military commander with his own army and Intel vital to their survival. Who happens to bring along his buddy Yassen...who killed a few of Ravani's leaders and is a known assassin... What's the worst that could go wrong by putting him on Elena's guard detail? Oh and there is a prophet who might burn the world to ash being hunted by the king who wants to keep his daughter's hands clean.

Thank you Orbit and Netgalley for the ARCs, was trying to time my review with the audio.

Reasons to read:
-Ferma, she is perfect and awesome
-Really interesting wildlife
-Secret religious documents that are different than what the masses know
-Most of the characters have good motives for their actions

Cons:
-That doesn't mean the results justify them!
-No way a person gets away with that without getting comeuppance, there has to be something

Many thanks to Orbit and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback!

I’ve got a lot of (conflicting) feelings about this book. 😅 Let me start by saying that this debut was NOT a bad at all; it was actually an interesting concept and the Indian mythology/setting were fun. I like that this book explored what it’s like to belong to two different cultures, and how that affected Yassen’s experiences. Leo was the best written character in this novel for me and, his chapters were highlights.

My biggest gripe with this book was how heavily the romantic subplot was marketed. This was originally described as an epic fantasy with a slow-burn, tender, enemies-to-lovers aspect. The romance in this book definitely takes a backseat to the political maneuvering and internal struggles of the characters (which I think is perfect for readers trying to romantasy or “spicy” books). I just wish I had had a better idea of what the novel was about going in, so that I could have set my expectations properly. The love story between Elena and the love interest(s) also felt forced, and I struggled to believe that they had a genuine connection throughout much of the book. The reason for their being “enemies” also felt a bit arbitrary to me and, I wish it had been further built on early in the story.

Additionally, most marketing described this as more of a fantasy novel when there are some pretty significant sci-fi aspects. The glossary was very helpful but, I wish some of the gadgets and creatures had been better explained within the story itself.

The FMC, Elena, was also quite difficult for me to connect to… I realized about halfway through that I just did not care about her as a MC and, that I was more interested in seeing the rest of Yassen’s story. We saw a lot of Elena’s emotions through the eyes of those around her but, when she was narrating it felt as though we only got to experience her anger or sadness from her own perspective.

Honestly, I was originally so excited to get approved for this ARC after following the author and seeing how they hyped up some parts of the story - but I felt a little let down when the hype didn’t fully match what I was reading. I’ll definitely pick up the next book in the trilogy to see what happens next though.

"If you must become a villain, become one. Become whatever Ravence demands, because without you, it will die.”

I'm pretty impressed that this is a debut novel. Originally self published as The Boy with Fire, now revamped as The Phoenix King. Elena is the future ruler trying to harness the gift of fire. Yassen is a skilled trained assassin with a hidden agenda. Together these two become the pivotal MCs that move certain plot points across the board.

The world building took a little getting used too. It felt like Arabian Nights meets Dune with an Indian inspired cultural setting against the harsh backdrop of the desert. Yet the technology is reminiscent of Dune level craftsmanship. My brain just refused to accept the advanced society elements. When it finally clicked, it really did feel reminiscent of the classic Dune.

The kingdom is on the brink of unrest and Elena and her father are at odds as her rise to queendom beckons. I really loved the history and myths that tie this novel together. From the heart of the desert origins to the Phoenix god, each little excerpt and tale made this novel that much more captivating with the depth these portions lent to the story.

There's a twist at the end I did not see coming and I found well done. The action sequences were some of my favorite parts alongside the more touching moments surrounding grief, friendship and hints of romantic interest.

For me this was a slower read than normal. There are multiple POVs with a typical SFF narrative that takes each character in different directions. Thankfully not too many to keep in order. This novel sets the stage for more to come while building on kingdom, culture, history and family dynamic instead of hitting the ground running. I think this will lead to an action packed second novel and I look forward to finding out!

Huge thank you to Orbit Books for the beautiful gifted copy. If you're a reader who loves strong heroines, epic fantasies and own voices representation, than you'll want to slide this onto your TBR! True rating 3.5 out of 5.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit books for the e-ARC. in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book.I gave it four stars. I would consider this to be a slow paced book (similar to other Orbit books) but I was entertained the entire time. The world building was unique, I especially liked the descriptions of Jantar and Ravence with the metal and the desert. There were quite a few characters and groups to keep up with but once you get used to them, it got easier. Additionally, (and I don't think I've ever said this before), I think I liked every character... like might be the wrong word... But, every character was developed in a way that you could either empathize or understand why they made the decisions they did. For example, the King Leo, Elena's father, did some absolutely horrible things in the book, but throughout, you learned more about more about why he made those decisions and it made him an incredibly complex character. I loved loved loved the friendship between Elena and her Spear and I think the author very accurately portrayed grief and loss. (I also thought the Yumi were super cool).

Okay, so despite liking the characters, I did feel like the main romance plot didn't exactly do it for me.I did like Elena and Yassen but honestly, I was fine with Samson too. I felt like they were a fine match. It was also refreshing to read a fantasy book with an arranged marriage where they both genuinely liked each other from the start. They both had something to prove and they helped each other with their goals. I felt like I knew that Yassen and Elena would end up together from the start but that part felt more rushed to me. The love scene was lack luster and it made me cringe just a little bit. I felt like it was thrown in during all this political turmoil and war and it didn't seem like the right time.

Overall, I liked the book and will definitely read the next one. I think it was a great start for this author!

DNF at 20%

I don't think there was any issue with this book! The writing was engaging, but I really struggled to connect with the characters. I liked the idea of the world building and was super pumped about the story, but not enough to make me want to keep going.

Looks like others are enjoying it so that's awesome!

Thank you very much to the author Aparna Verma and Orbit Books to be able to read this arc.

I unfortunately was unable to finish reading this book because of the many sci fi elements that were too difficult for me to understand. Some things were just said and not explained what they could be so I was left feeling like I was reading a series of mad libs. The premise and background is a wonderful concept but I think when I applied for this ARC, I was also under the impression this was fantasy, where my forte is for reading, and this reads strictly sci-fi. I did try to take a break and go back with the assumption that it was strictly sci-fi but was still unable to focus and understand and I could not give this book it's well deserved justice for what I still believe is likely a beautiful book.

I tried very hard to make it through this arc, but ultimately, this was billed as fantasy, and I see that it's been updated to note that it's a fantasy with sci fi elements. This book is heavier sci fi than Star Wars, and that just wasn't what I expected when I requested the book. The pacing and structure are not fantasy, and I hope that the marketing on this acknowledges the correct genre. For a sci fi, it seemed like it could scratch that itch, but I don't read a lot of heavy sci fi.

I've heard that this leans more into fantasy later in the book, but by downplaying the sci fi elements, you'll draw fantasy readers who aren't your target audience. I was not the target audience for this book, as much as I wanted to be and tried to love it.

The Phoenix King was 95% politics and 5% romance which I found odd because of how heavily the romance was marketed. Readers who enjoyed The Green Bone Saga and The Daevabad Trilogy will enjoy this. Although I enjoyed it for what it was, the book, overall, wasn't for me and was hard to get through.

Aparna Verma's "The Phoenix King" is a beautifully crafted fantasy novel that excels in world-building. The intricate blend of science fiction and fantasy elements, set in a kingdom where flames hold mystical power, creates a unique and incredibly captivating backdrop for the story.

The world-building was the standout feature for me. In addition to the religious zeal and ideas of sacrifice of Elena's kingdom, one of their rival kingdoms has an obsession with metal (including the monarchy putting it into their bodies), and it hungers for war. There is also an organization of assassins trying to destabilize Elena's kingdom. The author's ability to convey the intricacies of these cultures adds incredible depth to the narrative.

Verma's characters are well-developed, each with their own motivations and struggles. Elena's journey as she grapples with her desire to prove herself as a worthy queen is a central focus of the narrative. Leo's determination to protect his legacy and family adds depth to the plot, while Yassen's quest for redemption, while not given as much devotion as the other POVs (in my opinion and for good reason), provides another layer of complexity. While the book does have a romantic element, readers should be aware that the romance is the slowest of slow burns and it is not the central focus of the story by any means. Instead, the novel primarily explores Elena's growth and the complexities of the kingdom's political systems, which is does incredibly well.

"The Phoenix King" is a promising start to what appears to be a series with great potential. The story's initial setup hints at deeper and more complex developments in future novels, leaving me eager to continue the journey. I feel like this is one of those series that will grow more complex in future novels and I can't wait. Aparna Verma's writing is engaging and well-crafted, making this book a compelling read for fans of sci-fi/fantasy and intricate world-building.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit for the eARC. This is an honest review.

The Phoenix King is an Adult SF/F book following an three points of view; Leo – the current king who is trying to pave the way for his daughter’s rule, Elena – the heir clawing her way to ruling the kingdom the way she wants to, Yassen – an assassin-turned-bodyguard finding his place in the world.
Leo’s storyline was easily my favorite because his actions were so heinous, but you could understand his attempts at saving his kingdom, even if his actions were deplorable. True morally grey characters, we love to see it!
I really wanted more from the romance between Yassen and Elena and really their whole storylines in general. Their openings were very slow in a way that I didn’t find Leo’s story.
The descriptions of the setting were very vivid. I always had a good image in my head of the setting.
I do want to re-emphasize the mix of both science fiction and fantasy here. I went into this book thinking it solely fell in the fantasy genre, so I was thrown off for most of the book when hover cars and communication devices were continually used.
Speaking of, a good example of the sci-fi confusing me was with the enemy kingdom, the Jantari. Side note, I found the Jantari pretty underdeveloped for most of the book and they just felt “evily evil” for most of the book. So, the Jantari king is described as having a metal eye that creeps Leo out. I was very shocked by this very startling ableism from the characters. It took so many further pages for the book to finally exposit that the Jantari royalty engage in body modification even when they are able bodied. The quick transhumanism discussion felt like it both came out of nowhere and came far, far too late considering when the “prosthetic eye is creepy” comment. I hope this specific instance has changed since this was an eARC to being published.
I rated this book 2.75 stars. This wasn’t for me, but I would try a different book from this author, as she definitely has good ideas and a good writing style.