More books need to be collaborations. Imagine say a Stephen King and Samantha Irby book! I didn't know much about this book but I like both authors - and was extremely pleased to find out it's pure Ally bait: set in San Francisco right before the Great Earthquake of 1906 focused on friends, trash men and lots of history. I found I was interested more in the first part of the book when it was more separated out per friend then the end when the get back together (no spoilers) but overall, it was a very interesting book and very zippy. Great trip/plane book.

If you’re looking for riveting historical fiction that takes place outside of a wartime setting and tackles a variety of social issues, this is it! Kate Quinn, one of my all-time favorite authors, has teamed up with Janie Chang, author of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘓𝘦𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 (on my TBR!), to bring us a captivating story of four women whose lives become interconnected in an effort to defeat a powerful enemy, all while the clock is ticking down to the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906.

The story unfolds from the dual perspectives of Gemma, an opera singer who has fled New York City, and Suling, an embroidery artist from Chinatown. They are both chasing their dreams and working towards a life of independence when they become caught in the web of a shady philanthropist who is using the arts to further his own agenda and gain power in the city. Soon they discover their connection to each other as well as Alice, a botanist, and Nellie, an artist, and the four women band together to fight for both justice and survival in a city on fire.

As with all Kate Quinn novels, this story is impeccably researched, and Chang’s influence and style paints a vibrant portrait of lesser known facts about this era. I learned so much from about San Francisco and its proliferation of the arts at the turn of the century, along with the unconscionable treatment of Chinese immigrants and the policies and laws that further entrenched the racism, drug abuse, and poverty that afflicted this community.

From enrapturing arpeggios and glittering Parisian soirées, to the devastating earthquake and its aftermath, Quinn and Chang’s storytelling is vivid and immersive. Each woman brings something special to the story, and together they are a force to be reckoned with. While it didn’t pack quite the same emotional punch as other Quinn books, it was an immensely entertaining read that I highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley, William Morrow, and UpLit Reads for the eARC!

Kate Quinn does it again- this was a wonderful dual point of view historical fiction book for fans of Diamond Eye!

(3.5⭐️) Thank you @uplitreads and @williammorrow for the #gifted free copy of this book.

“It wasn’t enough for a woman to be talented, clever, and good.”

Powerhouse historical fiction authors, Quinn (one of my forever favorite authors) and Chang (this is my first by her), combine forces to tell the tale of unlikely friends surviving the unthinkable and united for justice.

The heart of this story is its women and the bonds they form. Four dynamic females: Gemma the opera singer, Suling the Chinese seamstress, Alice the botanist, and Nellie the artist.

Alice was my favorite. She shined on these pages just as she shined in real life. I was fascinated by her. So enigmatic. So different from the women of her time. Bold. Brazen. A true standout!

These women: fully capable and talented as individuals, yet fierce and unparalleled when they joined forces. A true testament to the female bond.

The author’s note (a must read) highlights the meticulous research that went into this book. The storyline is rich in history and well explores San Francisco’s heyday in juxtaposition to the lowly Chinese community. Vivid scenes from the earthquake and subsequent fire were well depicted. I especially appreciated the look at stollen Chinese antiquities and the racist laws of the time.

For fellow Quinn devotees, it’s important to note that this read is different than what we find in her solo endeavors. With alternating narratives, the depth and complexity I associate with her writing was not prominent. Instead, the elements of collaboration are given space, allowing Chang’s style room to breathe.

It felt apropos to read a book about female friendship with some fabulous female friends: @bookmarked.by.becky @rachellelovesbooks @readingfortheseasons @sarahgreatbooktoread @shesbecomingbookish @thatsoneforthebooks

The Phoenix Crown made my to-read list because I love Kate Quinn, and now I will have to add Janie Chang's books to my to-read list as well! TPC told the story of four women leading up to and in the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Despite telling the tales of fictional women, it blended their stories with real figures, including botanist Alice Eastwood. TPC is suspenseful and manages not to be too heavy, despite its setting. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for smart historical fiction with a touch of romance.

I really loved that this book focused on the time period surrounding the San Francisco earthquake as well as learning about the different cultural aspects. These two aspects combined brought a really unique storytelling element to the book. Kate Quinn is an autobuy author for me, so I jumped at the chance to read this one. It wasn't a favorite of min, but I'm glad I gave it a chance!

The lives of four women intertwine in San Francisco, days before the earthquake of 1906 hits.

Gemma, an opera singer is heading to California to join a traveling theater group and hoping to reunite with her artist friend, Nellie. Upon arriving in San Francisco, Gemma finds her friend is missing. At the boarding house, Gemma befriends Alice - a botanist and curator at the University. Suling, a Chinese embroideress, is being forced in to an arranged marriage by her uncle. Suling has fallen in love with an employee of the rich and famous Henry Thornton, and one day finds that her love has gone missing.

The paths of these women cross during Thornton's lavish parties, where he shows off his antique collection, including the famous Phoenix Crown. Together the women unravel the mysterious past of Thornton, just as the San Francisco earthquake hits.

This was a great historical fiction novel, set in a unique time and place, that kept me interested through the whole story.

Even though I have most of her books on my shelf, this was my first Kate Quinn read and I’ve got to tell you, I was pretty disappointed. I was so intrigued by the setting of this book: the big earthquake and fires that ruined San Francisco in 1906 and I enjoyed learning more about the city, especially Chinatown, in the early 1900s, but it wasn’t as much of a focus as I expected. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and wasn’t really invested in their stories. I thought the last few chapters in Paris were the most interesting and I loved seeing the women work together to get justice.

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Book Club Girl for the ARC.

I've been a big fan of Kate Quinn's books starting when I read The Alice Network. When I saw the promos with "The Phoenix Crown" coming out soon, I was so excited not just about the authors, but the subject of San Francisco in the early 1900's and when the city was devasted by the earthquake. That city has so much history. I haven't read Janie Chang's books, but I will be looking into them. I do love historical fiction and I see that's what she is known for. The story is based on two strong women, Gemma a soprano singer who comes to San Francisco to perform in the opera. She was an orphan and has been through some very tough times. Also, there is Sulie a Chinatown girl who is trying to better herself and is an amazing seamstress and embroideress. Two other women are Nellie an artist and Alice a botanist that add to the story. All their lives are intertwined as they become friends. They all fall prey in many different ways to Henry Thornton a philanthropist who was known for his collection of Chinese antiques and the main one being the Phoenix Crown. Henry buys his fame through the arts and women are his victims. I will say it took me about 100 pages to get into the flow of book and then something happened that made me think I'm hooked.
The whole world for these characters fell apart when the earthquake hit and truths came out, but I say strong women survive. The authors
have written an impressive novel with copious amounts of research. I would compare their work to authors such as Stephanie Dray and
Alison Pataki. Thanks to Net Galley and Harper Collins I've upped my joy of reading.

I really liked this one but didn't quite love it. I do think it's worth the read but go into it aware that it's slower-paced and at times feels like a lot going on with three main characters. I did love all three women after getting to know them. There's Gemma, a fancy opera singer who's trying to further her career. Suling, a young and talented embroideress trying to save enough money to leave Chinatown. Last but not least, Alice, a highly successful botanist. All three women live very separate lives until their stories intertwine when they're wronged by the same man. The story is set in 1906 San Francisco and begins shortly before the devastating earthquake and fire (that sadly happened in real life and took more than 3,000 lives.) I liked that this felt like two or three stories in one. It's obvious the authors did a great deal of research and I hope they decide to write more books together.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Paperbacks for providing me a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This was an enjoyable read that delved into a period of time I wasn't very familiar with - the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. There are four women from different walks of life whose paths cross and they become friends. Alice is a botanist who makes plants her life's work - she's no-nonsense, I can do anything I set my mind to, societal rules be damned woman - and personally my favorite character. Reggie is an artist and Gemma's life-long friend who convinces her to start anew in San Francisco but mysteriously disappears. Told primarily from the perspectives of Gemma - an older opera singer trying to make it, and Suling - a Chinese American that is skilled in embroidery, these women have to make their way through a world filled with dreams, challenges, and unexpected friendships.

Kate Quinn is one of my favorite authors. She has the ability to bring historical women to life in a gripping and engaging style that I always enjoy. While The Phoenix Crown was meticulously researched and focused around several women, I felt the essence of a Kate Quinn book was lost.

The Phoenix Crown was a slow burn historical fiction. While I enjoyed the characters I never felt truly invested. In my notes, at the 20% mark, I wrote that I still wasn’t sure what the plot conflict was. At 40%, the pacing begins to make some headway, and then at 50% the plot conflict finally reveals itself and gives the book some direction. For me, if the character development isn’t central, the plot unfolding at the halfway point took too long.

I did love the historical details of the book — clothing, societal norms, the glitz and glamour. I got to feel what it was like to live in San Francisco in 1906. The setting and timeframe were the strongest aspects in the book for me. The actual earthquake and the following hours after were especially poignant as San Francisco was virtually leveled by destruction and fire.

I’d recommend this to any historical fiction aficionados who enjoy a slow-burn read about the strength of female relationships mixed with gilt and glamour.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Publication date: Feburary 13, 2024
Pages: 384

Thank you to @netgalley and @williammorrowbooks for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the uncorrected e-proof in exchange for an honest review!

I have loved Kate Quinn's novels since The Alice Network and this one did not disappoint! While I haven't read anything by Janie Chang just yet I have already added most of her books to my tbr to read as soon as I can!

The novel follows Suling, a Chinese American seamstress, and Gemma, a Nebraskan farm girl turned opera singer as they navigate a society that does not make it easy for them to succeed. I admired both of the main characters and the way that they grew and came into themselves throughout the course of the novel. It would be really cool to see both of them along with a few of the side characters such as Alice and Reggie make appearances in future novels.

This was one of my anticipated new releases this year after seeing all of the work that both of the authors put into the research and development of the novel. The descriptions of San Francisco during its' Golden Age were great, especially in the way that it hi-lighted the beauty of a Chinatown that was lost in the fire. The earthquake and the fire that followed were described so well that I could picture the confusion of the city and the panic that they faced as they tried to save the city from destruction.

Happy pub day to The Phoenix Crown by Kate Quinn and Janie Chang! I had been looking forward to a new book by Kate Quinn, and I’ve never read anything by Janie Chang, so this sounded like a treat. Here’s what I liked:

✔️The 1905 San Francisco is already a fascinating time and setting, and knowing there’s a massive earthquake is heading their way made for an extra suspenseful plot.
✔️The book was full of strong, female characters (an opera singer, a seamstress, an artist), but Alice (a botanist) in particular, was fantastic.
✔️I always love a good author’s note at the end of a HF novel, and this one was so detailed and gave a sense of the research that went into the book. It was obvious these friends had a lot of fun writing together.

Overall, this is a good escape read that need not be taken too seriously. I had to suspend disbelief a few times (and may have rolled my eyes a time or two). So just a heads up that in my opinion, this isn’t on the same level as The Rose Code or The Huntress. But, I still did enjoy it!

The Phoenix Crown is a book that will stay with me long after reading. Set in the early 1900s, the story brings together women from different walks of life into a sisterhood of love and protection, all due to one man’s greed.

The reader gets a view of how the citizens of Chinatown were viewed and treated before and after the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, yet the narrative gives each of them a voice. I loved the rich history regarding Chinese antiques and the value placed on someone with fine sewing skills. The women portrayed in this story were so well-developed and complex. I was captivated by each of their stories and how their experiences were brought to life.

Dazzles with its characters and shines in its storytelling.

Thanks NetGalley and William Morrow Books, for the ARC!

Synopsis –

San Francisco, 1906 – 3 very different women –

Gemma Garland – a soprano singer who needs to reboot her opera career.

Suling – a talented young woman from Chinatown who dreams of a bigger life and better opportunities for her embroidering skills.

Alice Eastwood – the renowned botanist and the curator at the California Academy of Sciences.

Their paths intersect when they come under the wing of Henry Thornton, a successful business man and a connoisseur of art with a huge antique collection including the coveted Phoenix Crown, acquired from the looted Summer palace of China. The 1906 earthquake changes their lives and fortunes forever.

Review –

Kate Quinn is my favorite author and I can’t afford to miss a new one from her. #ThePhoenixCrown is another glorious feather in the author’s crown (pun intended) and what’s more – the collaboration with Janie Chang makes this a triumph of a historical fiction novel.

Oh the characters! What a story! I am in awe of how the authors chose such unique women as our protagonists. What’s common among them is the passion for their work, the innate talent they were gifted with, the spirit and yearning they had to achieve more, do better, get the recognition and remuneration they deserved.

Although I loved Gemma and Suling’s characterization, it is Alice Eastwood who stole the limelight. Her knowledge, accomplishment and contribution to the world of Botany in the early 20th century is simply commendable!

The narrative shifts between Gemma and Suling’s perspectives and as the timeline inches towards the fateful day of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, we come to understand their pasts, their deepest desires, flaws, struggles and dreams.

As we are teleported to this historic time period - the evocation of the time and place is brilliant, adorned with rich descriptions of - Suling’s intricate embroidery, the zeitgeist of the era, opera scene and music, Chinatown, the aromas, cultures, architecture, mindset of the Chinese immigrants, the poverty, rampant prostitution, racism and hardships they endured.

The plot converges the lives of the three women, binding them with a strong mystery element as they all fall under the radar of the conniving Thornton and unveils the enigma behind the “Phoenix Crown”.

It all culminates in a satisfying ending proving nothing can stop zealous, ambitious, determined and resourceful women who rally together.

I appreciated the authors’ note which sheds light on the inspiration behind the characters, as they blend imagination with true events and personalities. Kudos for the depth of research that has gone into this masterpiece👏

This one's not to be missed if you are a fan of the time period or historical fiction in general.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, William Morrow Books, Uplit Reads and the authors for the copy of this ARC to read and review!

This is one of those brilliant historical fictions that immediately transports you back in time! I could feel the hustle and bustle of 1906 San Francisco on every page! @katequinn5975 and janiechang33 did an outstanding job of making me vividly experience the atmosphere, the landscape and the diversity of people who called this city their home … whether natively born there or transported by circumstance. I found myself “Googling” so many things throughout the book … photos of the city, the people, the infamous crown, fashion of the era plus all the art & architecture! I learned so much! Don't miss the Authors' notes at the end ... fascinating!

I anxiously ripped through this story as the days counted down to the great earthquake … and the climax and wrap up were just as satisfying. The Phoenix Crown is an amazing story of friendship, loyalty, strength and survival! I really enjoyed it!

Review will be posted on 2/22/24

Gemma Garland is an opera singer at the Metropolitan Opera and is traveling with them to San Francisco to sing a special performance with Enrico Caruso. This is just the thing that Gemma hopes will revitalize her stagnant career. While there in this bustling city in 1906, Gemma meets Henry Thornton, a railroad magnate, who mixes and mingles in high society. Gemma finds herself thrust into this world and even singing at their parties. Henry seems like a perfect gentleman until she discovers his darker side. He dabbles in Chinese antiques and even has items from Bejing's fallen palace. Gemma's friend, Suling Feng, a Chinese embroiderer, makes Gemma question Henry's character. Suling has been hired by Henry to fix a few items from the Bejing palace, which leads her to question him. To make matters worse, Suling hints at Henry's even darker side as she blames him for her boyfriend's disappearance. The two women band together to challenge Henry, but before they know it, the infamous San Francisco earthquake is upon them. Kate Quinn and Janie Chang's The Phoenix Crown is a solid historical novel filled with strong female leads and a very atmospheric setting.

I enjoyed Gemma from the start of The Phoenix Crown, but I am not very interested in opera, so this portion of the story dragged a bit for me. What I liked the most was going along for Gemma's ride in old San Francisco. Quinn and Chang developed the setting so well and brought it to life. Their descriptions of Chinatown were also very detailed; I felt like I was there. I didn't know about the darker side of it all, so that was especially enlightening, which the authors really explain in the detailed author's notes. I also enjoyed Suling's story and Chang did a really solid job of highlighting what life was like for Chinese immigrants living in San Francisco during the time. I truly learned a lot.

Who doesn't enjoy a historical novel where two strong women team up to take down a powerful (but bad!) man? That was also one of my favorite aspects of The Phoenix Crown. My only complaint is that since two authors wrote the novel, it felt a little disjointed at times, and didn't flow as well as I was hoping. It may be because I am used to Quinn's writing style, so this felt different to me. However, it was a solid historical novel overall, and many of Quinn and Chang's fans will enjoy it.

Have you read Kate Quinn or Janie Chang? Is The Phoneix Crown on your TBR list? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

"𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥, 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳."

I love books that celebrate female friendships and 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗫 𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗡 perfectly fit the bill. It tells the stories of four very different women whose lives become intertwined in San Francisco in the days leading up to the devastating earthquake of 1906 and how they survive together. There's some romance, some mystery and lots of amazing historical details about a time and event I knew nothing about that kept me riveted. I went into this one blind (the description gives away a lot of the story) and I enjoyed being surprised by the turns it took. Don't miss the creative epilogue and the great authors' notes at the end from Kate Quinn and Janie Chang. (PS - there's a cameo from Pauline and Theo from Chang's 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗻!)

Thanks to William M0orrow Books for the #gifted copy.

A thrilling romp with lots of girl power!! Lovingly embroidered with rich historical details of the Chinese culture and Italian Opera. A truly original story set in San Francisco at the turn of the 20th Century.