DNF.

I couldn't get connected with this story and I think a lot of it stemmed from the world-building. It was hard to understand the time because they were using modern weapons and hoverboards but yet still living with other things not being so technological.

I did appreciate the different point-of-views but I didn't connect with them and thought that they fell kind of flat.

Thank you to the publisher for a complimentary earc to review! All opinions are my own.

"The Phoenix King" by Aparna Verma is a thrilling and imaginative debut that seamlessly blends elements of fantasy and science fiction into an epic tale of power, prophecy, and intrigue. Verma introduces readers to a captivating world where fire magic reigns supreme, and the fate of an entire desert kingdom hinges on the actions of its determined heir, Elena Aadya. As Elena navigates the complex world of politics and power, she finds herself entangled with Yassen Knight, an enigmatic assassin with a hidden past. The author masterfully weaves a tale of danger, secrets, and shifting loyalties that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. With elegant prose and intricate world-building, Verma creates a universe that is both immersive and unforgettable. The dynamic relationship between Elena and Yassen adds depth to the story, and their journey is a rollercoaster of emotions and unexpected twists. "The Phoenix King" is a riveting page-turner that delivers exhilarating action, well-developed characters, and a compelling exploration of the choices individuals make when faced with destiny-altering decisions. Verma's debut promises an exciting new voice in the genre, leaving readers eager for more from this series.

I think from the cover and title of this book I thought I would be reading about magic and swords type and a more classic fantasy book. I didn't really read what this book was about. They have tech in this world that seems quite advanced and other things that don't match their means of transportation, weapons or communication. I was into this story at the start but somewhere I just started wondering where this story is taking me. The political intrigue is done well for the most part, but I never like that kind of thing really. The action comes from in here and there and is satisfying to read and imagine. I didn't think there would a romance but there was one and not the one I expected. Most people are turned off by fantasy romances as they just seem to happen. In the real world though people make falling in love so much more complicated than it has to be, so this romance isn't the worse. Didn't really feel like I connected with any characters though. Overall, I didn't like or dislike any character in the book. This book has twists and turns that seem obvious once you have read enough of the story and then other things happened that did take me by surprise. I am wondering how people will receive this book as it could be anything from a dnf to a five-star book for some readers, I think.

This was such a fun start to a very promising Indian inspired sci-fi fantasy series!🔥

While I’m not a big fan of sci-fi books, there’s moments where I need a nice break from fantasy and historical settings, and sci-fi is a great way for me to get that break without needing to remind myself that the real world exists, and boy did this one deliver.🧡

I found the world building spectacular especially with Ravence and Jantar as they were great juxtapositions of each other with the hot desert and the forested mountains. Rani was such a vibrant capital city and even made me wish I was there in the midst to experience it all. I’ve not such a vibrant city setting like this since The Daevabad Trilogy, and man did I miss it.🌇

The characters were such a fun treat of grey morals. Leo’s decisions throughout the novel, while yes distressing, were understandable even if they are extremely questionable from the start. Elena’s desire to be a good queen at the cost of her relationship with her father was something I don’t normally see with books nowadays, and I’m so glad it not a black and white situation with these two, but instead a lot of grey area mixed with love.👑

I adored the relationship between Elena and her guard Ferma. It reminds me a lot of a tough love kind of relationship, but it was such a loving version of it.⚔️

And Yassen was such a fun unreliable narrator that when his plot twist happened, my mouth was agape for the rest of the chapter. I loved his redemption arc towards the end, and am now desperate to see him and Elena together again in the next book!💞

The only thing that I wish I could have gotten more of was a bit more in-depth knowledge into the fire magic that the Ravani royal family possess. That, and a bit more explanation into why Elena’s mother was hit with madness when it’s the royal family who primarily get it.😔

But in the end, it was such a fun start to this series, and I will definitely can’t wait to get Book 2! 🏜

Thank you again to @orbitbooks_us @netgalley and @spirited_gal for such a fun end of the summer read! ❤️

Overall: 4.25/5⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!
Some important points:
• The pacing of this book is veeery slow; there was far too much filler and buildup that could’ve been cut down
• The chemistry between the love interest(s) is not very strong, if there at all
• None of the characters felt compelling or interesting
• I would only classify this is adult due to the age of the MC and due to unnecessary and slightly awkward cussing; the writing felt more juvenile than adult
• Mythology aspect of the Phoenix was pretty cool!

While I really wanted to like this one, overall, it just fell flat for me.

I would say this is a 4.25-star read for me.

Verma's prose is absolutely stunning and her careful attention to detail made the world-building all the more compelling. Because this is the first book of a trilogy, there was a lot to set up in terms of stakes and descriptions; but toward the beginning especially, even though Verma's writing was beautiful, I had to push myself to read a bit at a time, asking the question, "What is all of this for?" With all of that said, avoiding spoilers, when the twists really started to come, even though I could feel they were coming, they still washed over me in a satisfying way. If you are willing to wait for it, there's a point when you suddenly won't be able to put the book down, as you can start to taste the nearness of answers. So, I think this would have been a 5-star read for me if I were the kind of person who willing did 2000+ puzzles on weekends. That's the best way for me to describe it.

P.S. Again avoiding spoilers, I really hope that my favorite character has their own perspective in Book 2. Low-key, I would read something starring them alone lol.

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary e-ARC and the publisher for the complimentary hard copy. All opinions provided are my own.

Aparna Verma’s The Phoenix King is a monster of a fantasy with lots of twists & turns, a couple of “oh sh** moments,” & an ending that left me with a couple of questions.

An heir to a kingdom, a former assassin trying to secure freedom, a ruthless king who will do anything, go to any lengths, no matter how violent, to take the future he thinks is right…

This fantasy has a lot going on, not to mention secrets, betrayal, gods, conquered countries, & a smidge of a love triangle.

In its best moments, this book captivated me & I waited with bated breath to see what other danger / horror would attend the characters in this world.

But there are also moments when the book drags a bit for me, & by the end I had the feeling that the book is somewhat too long—never a great feeling to have. The scope of this one feels too large.

This is definitely a big book in all the ways & it takes the reader for a real ride. I think book 2 could be a turning point for the series, seeing if it focuses in more & picks up & tightens the threads started in book 1.

4⭐️. Out 08/29.

Please see a trusted reviewer’s list of CWS but know that this book includes gory depictions of violence & murder, including burning people alive.

[ID: Jess’s white hand holds the book in front of a flower garden with zinnias on the left & a massive sunflower in the background.]

The Phoenix King: This book might be one of my favorite summer reads. Now before I get to deep in this is very much a world building entry as it is the first book in a trilogy, BUT! Don’t let that stop you, this books has great character building. I mean you really get to know the characters, their desires and why’s. For a debut novel this is really stellar work. The ending left me wanting to know what happens next and the quality definitely left me impressed for such a new writer. I will be watching Verma’s career with great interest. You follow Elena approaching ascending to the throne, her fiancé Samson and the man he hired to protect her Yessen, the man with a messy past who is determined to prove he is reformed. The is mystery and secrets peppered within this book and I don’t want to spoil anything in this review. It would be a disservice to the author’s hard work. Despite there being romance it doesn’t overtake the actual plot and intrigue of the story. I found this very refreshing as a lot of authors as of late have leaned very heavily on that trope. I definitely recommend this book!!!!

To be honest, this book blew my mind. I have never read a book with such well crafted world building and politics that aren't boring. I'm the type of reader to read a book for the romance and that's it. However, with this I was so deeply invested in the world and the plot that the romance was the last thing on my mind. These characters are so intricately woven and they all feel so real, and I loved them even with the dark and messy parts of them. I mean this book was seriously EPIC. The culture, the characters, the plot and political schemes, the magic, the writing - all of it was amazing.

I truly appreciated Aparna's writing. It was gorgeous. Lyrical but not heavy and overbearing. Quick and snappy when it needed to be. It painted such lush and vibrant pictures of each scene and had some really hard hitting lines.

Honestly, I'm scared to continue reading from her. She's proven she is NOT afraid to break our hearts into pieces. As a writer, I seriously admire her skill, but as a reader my heart is shattered.

My one issue with this book was how the end seemed to drag. The climax was seriously INTENSE and I loved it! So so well done! But the aftermath of the climax went on for a bit too long. I feel like that portion could have been moved to the beginning of book two.

Overall - I LOVED THIS. 5/5 stars and I cannot wait for book two!

Thank you so much Orbit and Aparna for my ARC!

This novel was an enjoyable read. Was it one of my favorite books I have read this year? Not really. But this is mainly because of my personal taste when it comes to what I like in the fantasy genre. If you like a mixture of Dune and Game of Thrones, then you are a better audience for this book. My tastes go more for traditional fantasy without modern technology, but still while I cannot say with certainty I will read the next book in the series, I will say that now that I am more comfortable with my understanding of this world that Aparna Verma created I may come back to this world of technology, folklore and fantasy in the future.

The tale is told from the POVs of three characters: Elena, Leo and Yassen.

Leo is the King of Ravence and wants the transition of power to Elena to go smoothly and is willing to do anything to make sure Ravence continues to flourish and his family is protected from inside and outside forces. Ravence beholds its success to the Phoenix God, the god of fire and destruction. Leo knows what it is to hold this power. Maybe not to control it- because how can anyone control fire- but at least learn how to use it as a tool for the betterment of his kingdom.

Elena is the daughter of Leo and heir of a desert kingdom known as Ravence. She will soon be the queen of this desert kingdom and is worried that she will never learn the secrets of the Eternal Flame and be accepted by the Phoenix God. She knows she is not ready as our story begins, but she also knows that she must learn how to embrace the Phoenix God as her time grows closer for her to start her reign.

Yassen was once a cold-hearted assassin who is reviled by Ravence for past assassinations and his past association with a secret terrorist organization known as the Arohassin. He is looking for redemption by taking an offer from his only friend Samson, who is to marry Elena and become king. Yassen is returning to Ravence, his native land. Yassen will be part of Elena's guard, her protector.

It is difficult to go into many details as they can spoil the enjoyment of a review, but I will say, that I am a fan of the main theme of this novel "the greater good." While there are some deplorable actions that our main characters make throughout the novel, it comes down to they feel their actions are warranted to save the many. Leo is a great example of this as he will go to any means necessary to save his kingdom from spiritual, internal and outside threats, and some of his actions while they are logical they are certainly not humane. Elena, also, at times in the novel does some awful things, but she also believes they are necessary. In a sense, the main characters in the book are struggling what they feel is necessary for survival of their way of life with not losing their humanity.

The use of technology in the novel like holo-pads, flying vehicles, and mechanized-humans combined with the mystical Phoenix God took away from my enjoyment. Some though may find it enjoyable, but it took a little bit of time to get comfortable in this world and get invested in the story.

Still, this is a good first novel. The author provided us an edgy and certainly dark at times tale in a setting that we rarely see in speculative fiction. She is a new voice that others should try if they like political intrigue, fantastical elements with technology in a desert setting with powerful, but flawed characters.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher Orbit for providing me this ARC for my honest review.

"The Phoenix King" by Aparna Verma is an epic fantasy novel that takes readers on a sweeping journey through a richly imagined world. The story unfolds with grandeur, blending elements of magic, adventure, and political intrigue.

Verma's world-building is a standout feature of the novel, with intricately crafted landscapes, cultures, and magical systems. The depth and attention to detail in the setting immerse readers in a realm of wonder and mystery.

The characters in "The Phoenix King" are complex and multidimensional, each with their own motivations and arcs. The political struggles and power dynamics between different factions add layers of complexity to the narrative, giving the story a sense of depth and realism.

The pacing of the novel is deliberate, allowing the plot to unfold gradually while building tension and anticipation. The story seamlessly weaves together multiple perspectives, providing a comprehensive view of the unfolding events.

While the novel excels in world-building and plot complexity, there were moments when the pacing felt slow, and certain character motivations were not fully explored. However, these minor drawbacks do not overshadow the overall scope and ambition of the story.

In conclusion, "The Phoenix King" is a commendable entry in the epic fantasy genre, boasting a richly developed world and intricate narrative. If you're a fan of immersive fantasy tales with political intrigue and a touch of magic, this novel offers a captivating journey into a fantastical realm.

5/5 Stars

TL;DR - A vibrant, sprawling tale, as lush as an oasis and as searing and soaring as the eponymous Phoenix. It has everything - complex characters, deep emotion, vivid imagery, political intrigue, romance - and all of it delivered expertly with razor-sharp prose that’s as beautiful as it is cutting. A science-fantasy masterpiece as far as I’m concerned - excuse me while I die waiting for the second book.

Big thanks to Orbit and NetGalley for providing the ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review!

‘The Phoenix King’ by Aparna Verma is the first book in the Ravence Trilogy, set in a futuristic, Indian-inspired world that has as much magic as it does tech. This book is told in alternating POVs from three main characters - Elena Ravence, the princess and heir to the throne who is a skilled fighter and politician, Yassen Knight, a disgraced assassin seeking freedom and peace, and Leo Ravence, the king whose only desire is to protect his kingdom and his beloved daughter. The story begins at the very end of Leo’s reign, only months before Elena will ascend and become Queen, and the nation is in turmoil, with rebellion on the streets of the capital and an enemy kingdom's army massing at their southern border. We follow the three main characters as they navigate political upheaval, familial conflict, deep personal struggles, and ancient, ungovernable magic.

Okay, wow. Speechless. I loved this, almost beyond words. I took so few notes because I was just SO invested in this book. It ticks all the boxes for me, and then some. I’m going to try to put it into words coherently, so bear with me.

First, the writing. It is absolutely captivating. I have pages and pages of highlighted passages saved in my Kindle, so many phrases and paragraphs that are so incredibly well-written and that land with so much grace and yet so much weight. Profound, heart-wrenching, gorgeous, atmospheric to the max - there’s just no way for me to neatly sum up how much I loved how this book is written. I can only say that the prose feeds my soul. Thank you, Aparna.

The characters! Elena is clever, cunning, passionate, fearless, kind, but also rash, naive, and ruthless (Inej Ghafa 2.0 as far as I’m concerned). She is everything I want and need my FMCs to be, and more. Yassen is the saddest boy just doing his best and I am here for it. He’s also clever and kind, the perfect mix of protective and trusting Elena to hold her own, but deeply haunted and struggling against his demons - chef’s kiss. Even Leo, who does all the wrong things for what he believes are the right reasons, is fleshed out to the point where he feels like a real person. I haven’t loved an entire cast of characters this much since Six of Crows, and We Hunt The Flame before that.

The world is somewhat hard to pin down, but I still loved every minute spent exploring it. It’s giving Star Wars, Dune, We Hunt The Flame, Avatar: The Last Airbender - so many good things. It was hard for me to stay grounded in it sometimes, because my brain was firmly stuck imagining a fully fantasy world, and then there’d be a hovertrain or a neon sign and I’d remember, oh yeah, this is science fantasy. There’s a lot of good sci-fi elements - holographic communicators, electromagnetic training fields, energy guns - as well as all the magic and mystery of a fantasy novel. The world is steeped in Indian culture, and I had such a wonderful time existing in it for the span of the book.

The plot, oh my gosh, the plot. There’s political intrigue, but not the boring kind. There’s a magical mystery and ancient prophecies. There’s treason, betrayal, blasphemy, murder, mayhem. There’s romance that kindled a spark in my cold, ace heart. And there are twists for days! I called a few of them, and others flew completely out of nowhere. I yelled so much at this book, in good ways and in stressful ones - and the end of the book? SHEESH. I weep that I have to wait like a year to know what happens to these characters. And yeah, this book is 400+ pages long, but it EARNS it! There’s always tension, always mystery, always something happening to keep the flow going. Superb.

That’s it, that’s the end of my notes. There’s so much more to say but I don’t have the words to properly convey it. I’m going to be thinking about this book for a long time, and haunting the author’s everything until the next book is announced.

Final Thoughts:

One of my new favorites. Please read this book.

I will ABSOLUTELY be buying a physical copy, and praying to the book gods that someone releases a fancy, special edition soon.

5/5. WOW. I really liked this one.

The world-building was very unique and creative. It's not pure fantasy-- it's science fantasy, and more heavy on the sci-fi bits than the fantasy. It made for a fun world that felt well though-out and lived-in. Ravence gave off Fire Kingdom from Avatar: the Last Airbender vibes, but if the Fire Kingdom were the (relatively speaking) good guys. There are certainly some parts that were inspired by Dune, and I thought it was a nice homage without being overly similar. I did think it was a little difficult to keep track of all the settings and major players at first, but once the really important ones are established it gets easier. My advance copy did not have a map, but it did look like the final version will, and that will help, too. I'm not as familiar with Indian myth, but it made for an interesting and unique world that made me curious about learning more.

As for the characters, Leo was by the far the best written. He was multifaceted and interesting. Samson is the second-best. Elena has potential to be a fantastic character as well, but needs a little more development that I think will come with more books. I cared about Yassen the least. I liked Elena with Samson better, so I'm hoping this Elena/Yassen doesn't last-- though I'm not optimistic. Overall, however, each of the characters were morally gray and the nuance about each of them was well done.

The plot started off a little slowly, partly because of the time dedicated to world-building at the beginning but it did get more engaging once all the political intrigue began. Anyone who enjoys the political machinations of City of Brass or ASOIAF would enjoy this book too. Also, the plot twist at the end!! I was probably going to rate this book 4/5 but the plot twist really surprised me. I was NOT expecting that, so 5/5 for being well done and completely a shock.

The prose was excellent, which also added to my enjoyment. And bonus points for the Fahrenheit 451 reference in the final chapter.

I'm definitely interested in buying a final, paper copy.

This is a great introduction to this world and series. It could move a little faster, but then we'd lose a lot of the weight and reality of the world. The characters are complex and interesting. None of our POV (or shoot, even the secondary characters) are one dimensional. There is a beautiful sense of place here, and the characters are all wrestling with themselves in a way that feels true rather than angsty. Definitely an author to watch.

Setting and works building great but the plot and characters let me down, way to much deception and for no good reason.

Thank you negtgalley for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review. 2.75 stars.

So, i read the original, and now the republished version. The biggest change, gladly, is that it didn’t use a derogatory term for disabled people anymore. When I read the original it took me aback that it said that (more than once), so I’m glad that was changed and the treatment towards the disabled character wasn’t so 🥶. That being said, I feel like the author forgot he was disabled sometimes. The descriptions at times didn’t line up with someone who didn’t have use of one of his arms. I also tend to feel connected with disabled characters, but yassen is bland to me. He doesn’t interest me at all, whether by himself or within the ship.

I don’t feel like they had much chemistry. It grew throughout the story, but it didn’t feel strong.

Elena was a decent main character, but she’s lacking depth. I feel like most of what was explored of her was surface level. Leo I literally do not gaf about. His chapters are boring, to be straight up. I don’t care about him and I don’t care about his perspective, and nothing about it is interesting enough to make up for that.

So much of this story fell flat for me. While most fantasies grab your attention with a mystery or magical plot, my attention was not grabbed. It just wasn’t interesting enough. I liked the world and the magic system, but everything else was meh. The characters could use some work, the bonds, the storyline. I was just craving MORE. Overall, I’ve been following this author for a very long time, so I’m disappointed. I’m not sure if I’d be interested to read the next book. There was a description at the end of the arc describing it, and it sounded more interesting, but I’m not sure I like her writing enough to continue.

This debut novel by Aparna Verma absolutely did NOT disappoint!

This is a rockstar of a fantasy novel that is sure to leave fans of City of Brass and Jasmine Throne hungry for more!

A tale of revolution, love, enemies to lovers, betrayal, adventure, strong female characters, and plot twists, you name it this book has it.

Aparna has created a world that steps outside traditional Indian storytelling, but stays true to her culture- by weaving in futuristic technologies and lands, yet paying homage to the Hindu goddess of death and female warriors.

Aparna shows true dedication to the development of her characters- as each has their own personal struggle and challenges they face throughout the novel. Her excellent use of various POVs allows you to see more detail that would be left unchecked in a single POV novel.

I am thrilled for this novel to have been extended to a trilogy and I will absolutely be reading all of the books!

This was a great book about an assassin, a princess, and a king who must face their destiny after learning their prophecy. I love reading Indian fantasy novels as I feel connected to those stories and love seeing what the author has in store for their readers. Verma did not disappoint with this book as the brought the story that was promised. It was very well written with many conflicts and a complex world-building that I just wanted to learn more. I do have to say that the book is a bit slow in the beginning but towards the end, it’s a thrilling ride. This book is written in three povs.

Elena, Leo, and Yassen are the MCs of this book. I enjoyed Elena and Yassen’s story but Leo had more of a character development than Elena. I didn’t enjoy Leo’s pov as much as he was a much older character and it was hard reading his story. They were well-written characters but each of them had a flaw in the way they were written. There were many side characters in the book and I really enjoyed seeing their involvement in the book. The SCs are more just there ant not too involved where the focus of the book is lost. The romance was okay as it’s not the main focus of the story just it’s just a touch of it in the book. It’s between the MCs and I couldn’t feel the chemistry between them too much but it’s enemies to lovers and slow burn.

The ending was well done and I really enjoyed the epilogue in this book. I totally did not expect the ending to be the way it was. I really enjoyed this book but I do wish the characters were a but better or at least their character development and that there was more romance. I totally recommend checking this book out as many Indian fantasy readers will love it.

*this e-arc was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*

Told through three point of views, The Phoenix King is a blend of science fiction and fantasy, set in an India-inspired world. Yassen, an assassin turned bodyguard, Elena, heir and future queen, and Leo, the current king, all battle each other as they fight against a prophecy that might end their world as they know it.

The Phoenix King has a highly interesting premise and gorgeous cover.

I had such high expectations for this novel, and unfortunately it met none of them. Going in, I knew it would be a blend of sci-fi and fantasy (or science fantasy), something done rarely, but when done well it's incredible (see: Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao) - this was not done well. I felt so disconnected from the world from the first page, and as I kept reading I just kept feeling more and more confused and like every bit of science was shoehorned into the plot and just left half-wedged in there to "make it fit" since the book was trying to genre blend.

I found it very awkwardly written, from the character perspective changes, to the way the world felt almost like a parody of sci-fi in some moments (the strange new curses, the religious zealots with no purpose). The tone of the entire novel is set forth with a prologue that I absolutely didn't connect with, featuring a bizarre chase (he's a highly trained assassin, why does he suddenly suck at his job?) and throws the reader into a world that doesn't even attempt to ground itself before creating and introducing new ideas.

I know this was the author's debut, and I feel like you can TELL it was their debut, because the writing is so choppy and, on a technical level, seems to be unable to handle the massive task of building an entire world, religion, and plot in 400 pages. I, also, can't help but be a little annoyed that this was published prior in 2021, and this is the updated edition of the book, with apparently edits, more content, and extras. I'm a little shocked that this version of the book is the one that's gone through more editing because I still feel like it's lacking clarity in far too many areas.

I wish I had enjoyed this as much as I hoped I would, but it completely and utterly missed the mark for me.

Content warnings: Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gun violence, Racism, Violence, Sexual content, Slavery, Xenophobia

The Phoenix King is an adult science fiction-fantasy novel set in an India-inspired world. Following three characters: Yassen the Assassin turned personal guard for the princess; Elena the Heir who must learn to yield the Eternal Flame in order to become Queen; and Leo the King who is unwilling to give up his crown or his power. Accompanied by a prophecy stating that the Phoenix’s prophet will come and burn everything to ash.

When I read the synopsis of this book I was wholly expecting to dive into a fantasy novel. Instead, I was surprised by the inclusion of futuristic technology. Starting the story I was definitely getting Star Wars vibes. I unfortunately did not finish this book as I prefer my fantasy without said technology as I find it can detract from my immersion in a story. That being said, if a mix of fantasy and sci-fi is your cup of tea, this book is a great fit!

The prologue was super dramatic and intriguing and definitely hyped me up for the rest of the book, but it just wasn’t enough to keep me reading through a book that contains things that aren’t my taste.

Of the portion that I read, the world building was well laid out. Explanations of kingdoms, politics, and character rolls were seamlessly written into the story. I liked the variation of ages in the main characters—this is the first story I have read that two of the POVs were from a child and a parents, so that was super unique. I did find it odd that there was use of made-up or ‘replacement’ curses but then also the use of f**k? This too distracted me from the fantasy of the story.

Overall, for a reader who loves sci-fi and fantasy, and enjoys those two mixed together, this book would be perfect. There is action, there is intrigue, and there is romance!

*Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*