I’m always amazed at how two authors of a book can produce a seamless story. Such is the case with Kate Quinn and Janie Chang. In addition, they made it seem like these principal characters really existed(though Alice Eastwood is a real person)..
The authors’ notes at end of book were particularly interesting. Makes me wonder why I don’t read those first. Lots of research paid off with a richer, more substantial storyline. My only suggestion would be to have titled the book “Queen of the Night”. Thanks to #NetGalley and #ThePhoenixCrown for advanced digital copy.

Loving this new trend of authors collaborating. Okay it is not new but growing. I love any historical fiction set in a time and place that I don't know much about and this fit the bill. I especially enjoyed the authors' afterword talking about their collaboration.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

This felt very surface level in terms of writing for me! The storyline drew me in, but the characters often repeated themselves, and felt slightly one dimensional. All in all, it didn't really strike me as much as Quinn's other work, like "The Rose Code". I may try it again as an audio in the future. A good story, but not my favorite.

I really enjoy Kate Quinn books but I haven't read any of Janie Chang's before. I honestly think this one was just average for me. I didn't love it but I didn't dislike it either. April 18. 1906 is the day that forever changed San Francisco as it was ravaged by earthquakes and fire. It also forever changed Gemma, Suling, Nellie and Alice. Their lives are forever entwined and we see the tale before and the aftermath of the earthquake and how it changed them. Gemma is an opera singer who not only reinvented herself, but came out to San Francisco hoping to find her best friend, Nellie (who reinvented herself as well) for a fresh start. Her best friend, Nellie, is an artist going by the name of Reggie, who came out to San Francisco to make a name for herself. Suling is a talented embroideress living in Chinatown who is greatly affected by discrimination because of her race. Alice is a botanist at the California Academy of Science who is obsessed with furthering her work and research. They don't have much in common to start but their stories are beautifully written and enmeshed.

I do have to say that the writing, as always. seamlessly portrays a beautiful historically fictional account of the devastation that could be felt during the tragedy of the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906. I think this one was a little predictable for me. I think there was a lot that was going on and the stories moved in the same direction together, but they fell a little short for my liking. Some of the character development in the aftermath of the earthquake left a bit to be desired, it seemed like setting up was so detailed and in depth but then it was rushed at the end.

Rated up for 3.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow Paperbacks, Kate Quinn and Janie Change for the eARC of The Phoenix Crown in exchange for an honest review. The Phoenix Crown by Kate Quinn and Janie Chang is set for 13 February 2024.

I have loved Kate Quinn's books but must confess I have never read anything by Janie Chang. I set out with great hopes and expectations but for once I found myself struggling. I am not sure if it was the characters I was not connecting with or the story. It follows four women, Gemma, Suling, Nellie and Alice from their chance meetings in San Francisco right before the earthquake of 1906. Gemma is an opera singer, Nellie an artist, Suling a Chinese-American with a talent for needlework and Alice a botanist. They are all brought together by Henry Thornton and what happens has devastating consequences for all of them.

It started slow but picked up about a quarter of the way through. I then felt the last quarter rushed through so much. But all in all, I enjoyed it and would recommend it.

#NetGalleyARC I wanted to love this title but I just couldn’t get into it. I generally love Quinn’s books but this one just left me lacking. The premise was decent but I dunno, maybe it was too many POVs? I wouldn’t say the book was horrible but it didn’t keep my attention.

The setting: the intertwined lives of several women beginning in San Francisco, 1906 --and working towards the earthquake--and its aftermath.

Gemma, a soprano who has reinvented herself [changed name, moved from the Midwest] whose best friend, Reggie, an artist [has also changed her name]. Suling, an embroideress from Chinatown, determined to escape an arranged marriage [lots of Chinatown backstory]. Henry Thornton, a ruthless businessman who collects Chinoiserie and own the fabled Phoenix Crown, Alice Eastwood, a botanist at the California Academy of Science entranced with the Queen of the Night flower

Sex workers/a brothel. Opium. Immigrants, Corruption. And much more.

I was taken in by this book--at first. A fast read. However, I was derailed by some of the flourishes [mostly of a "romantic" nature], and more so the trajectory that I saw as predictable [I was correct]. An entertaining read until about 3/4 in when it became more of a slog and it spiraled downward for me--especially as I saw a neat and tidy ending forthcoming!

Started out as a 4, ended up as a 3.


Be sure to read the Epilogue and Authors' Notes.

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Genre: Historical Mystery
Setting: Chinatown and San Francisco, CA, Versailles and Paris (France)
Time: 1906-1911
Format: 📖
Release Date: February 13, 2024
Length: 384 pages

In thirteen days, fourteen hours, and fifty-two minutes life for four women will be changed forever. On April 18 in 1906, San Francisco will experience a devastating earthquake followed by fires that destroyed the city. It is also the day that Henry Thornton got away with murder.

Gemma is an opera singer with hopes of revitalizing her singing career. Gemma’s best friend Nellie, a bohemian artist has embedded herself deep into San Francisco society Alice Eastwood is a botanist and curator of the California Academy of Sciences. Suling Feng lives in the area of San Francisco known as Chinatown, she helps manage the family laundry business, works for the Madam Ning’s brothel and is well known for her embroidery skills. Her plans are not to remain in this city but to escape her cunning uncle and arranged marriage, find Reggie and make a better life for the both of them.

These four women unknown to each other will be linked to each other through one devious man, Henry Thornton. A man that has made his wealth in the railroad business, he is charming, charismatic, well connected with promises for successful careers, collector of Chinese antiques which includes legendary Phoenix Crown. As time creeps toward April 18, it becomes obvious to all these women that Henry is not who he professes. The Phoenix Crown explores the strength and connections women can develop in the arms treachery, destructions and in solving a murder mystery.

Kate Quinn seamlessly weaves fact and fiction. While most of the characters are fictional, Alice Eastwood is not, at thirty-five she was the department head at the California Academy of Sciences. Enrico Caruso Italian opera singer sang with the Met Opera Company mere hours before the earthquake struck. Teaming up with Janie Chang was brilliant, bring in all aspects of Chinese life, history, and treatment as they experience in the United States the early nineteen hundreds.

Thank you, Kate Quinn, Jaine Chang, William Morrow Paperbacks and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is due to be released on February 13, 2024.

3.5 stars
Kate Quinn is a true artist, as well as an author, at creating a literary visual image of the everyday lives of extraordinary women. You know what I'm talking about if you have read any of her other highly acclaimed novels. In this novel, Quinn joins forces with the author Janie Chang to highlight the stories of four strong females: an opera singer, an artist, a botanist, and a young Chinese seamstress. They all come together in San Francisco right before the deadly 1906 earthquake that toppled the city.

I was intrigued by how the beginning of each chapter moved progressively forward by days with the date noted, along with a countdown calendar, starting with "Thirteen days, fourteen hours, fifty-two minutes before the earthquake". This unique tool helped to heighten the tension of the narrative as the plot edged ever nearer to the catastrophe the city would soon face.

An entire book could have been written about any of these interesting women individually. The book is filled with moments of bravery, determination, perseverance, and loyalty. However, there was so much going on in these women's lives that it began to feel pieced together like a patchwork quilt and the ending felt very rushed on top of that. A cohesiveness seemed to be lacking and ultimately, the storyline may have slightly suffered from this new collaboration of authors.

My sincere thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for giving me the opportunity to read a digital ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Man, I love historical fiction that holds up a mirror to life as it actually was. Set in 1906 San Francisco, The Phoenix Crown is a page turner with richly drawn characters that exemplifies the power of author collabs in historical fiction. Loved it.

While the story initially focuses on Gemma, a down-on-her-luck opera singer; and Suling, a Chinese American embroideries, their world expands to include an artist and a botanist at the Cal Academy. Gemma and Suling’s stories intertwine and their fortunes change thanks to Henry Thornton, a railroad magnate and collector of Chinese antiquities, including the Phoenix Crown. The 1906 earthquake turns everything upside down and Thornton mysteriously disappears. The Phoenix Crown turns up years later in Paris, "drawing Gemma and Suling together in one last desperate quest for justice."

Ordinarily, historical fiction might tell Gemma’s story in a vacuum. A blonde opera singer from the Midwest with the voice of an angel goes to San Francisco for her shot at stardom. Would I have enjoyed that book? Probably. But it’s Suling's added lens that reflects the world as it was. Chinese Americans are fully fledged people with their own hopes, dreams, loves, and losses. And she pulls no punches on how many white people in SF treated and regarded Chinatown and Chinese Americans in this period.

And for me, that’s what makes The Phoenix Crown so enjoyable. Not to mention that Suling reminded me a lot of my grandmother, also the American born child of immigrants who walked in two worlds.

My only gripe is that the story wraps up super fast. The majority of the book runs up to the earthquake as the flashpoint and then the women scatter to the wind. Once they’re brought back together, I could have gone for a little more time in Paris (and a little less in SF).

Did I preorder my own copy? Yes.

CN: Grief, racism, attempted murder, chronic migraines, involuntary commitment to an asylum

“The Phoenix Crown” by Kate Quinn & Julie Chang is a beautifully written and researched historical fiction. It takes place in 19o6 at the time of the San Francisco Earthquake and Fire that destroyed the city and took so many lives.
As with all Quinn novels we have 4 strong dynamic women. An Opera Singer, a famous Botanist, an up and coming Artist and an extraordinarily talented Chinese Seamstress. As the novel moves forward we learn of the connection of these women to a philandering arts philanthropist whose primary interest is in developing his own wealth. There is a lot to learn in this story about the laws, policies and practices of Chinese Immigrants during this time, and you can clearly see Ms. Changs important influence into the story.
This is powerful book that I highly recommend and suggest you read the authors notes which gives us their individual perspective on the issues they tackled in bringing this book to life.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I love Kate Quinn. I once borrowed one of her books from the library and then went out and purchased a copy because I was so wowed by it. I think she's one of the most amazing historical fiction writers out there right now, and I will always, always run out and read whatever she writes. All that being said, The Phoenix Crown was a good book, but not her best. I think it's hard when you're an amazing writer--how do you keep topping the last spectacular book you wrote? If The Phoenx Crown was written by someone else whose work I was unfamiliar with, I would say it's an awesome book. But because it's Kate (and Janie Chang), I expected more. So it's a hard review--it's a great book, by all standards. But because I know the back list of Quinn's books, it is just good, not great.

The Phoenix Crown takes place in San Francisco in 1906--weeks, days, hours, moments before the earthquake that destroys the city. Suling, Gemma, and Alice are all exceptional women in their fields hindered by society's rampant sexism and racism doing their best to rise above the fray. Suling is a Chinese-American woman who is a gifted embroiderer. Gemma is an opera singer. Alice is an expert botanist. Their lives intersect through a series of events leading up to the earthquake. Once it hits, they (and others) scatter only to come back together to seek justice against someone who wronged them all.

What was great about this book was the place setting. I can't remember how long it's been since I read a book taking place in 1906 SF, but this one made me feel like I was walking up and down the streets--especially the parts that described Chinatown. Loved the place setting. I also loved the women, but they could have been more deeply written. Suling, Gemma, Alice, and other women they meet along the way are each talented in different ways, flawed in their own ways, and approach society's limitations in different ways--which is compounded for Suling. Their friendship was good, but it could have been better.

I wasn't a massive fan of the mystery that thread the book together. Maybe it's because I read a lot of mysteries/thrillers, but this one was obvious and somewhat predictable. I would have enjoyed the story much more without it. Also, as a migraine sufferer, I really appreciated seeing someone with the condition in a book.

As I wrote at the beginning of my review: a great book. If you like Kate Quinn, you may be disappointed as I don't think it's as good as her others. And Janie Chang is an author I hadn't read before, but will go out and find some of her books to read today!

Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

The Phoenix Crown follows the stories of two different women from different backgrounds as their worlds collide during the San Francisco earthquake of 1906.

Gemma Garland is a Midwestern girl who longs to be a world famous opera singer. An unfortunate incident in New York City forces her to find new employment in a different city. She decides on San Francisco where her best friend is currently located.

Feng Suling is an American-born Chinese woman who is under the control of her lazy uncle. She's an excellent embroideress and is looking for a way to secure her own life and escape an arranged marriage.

Both women cross paths with Henry Thornton, a powerful railroad magnate. With his patronage, Gemma and Suling would be able to achieve their dreams.

Suddenly the earthquake hits and everyone's lives are thrown into disarray. Thornton is missing and presumed dead. His disappearance leaves Gemma and Suling with questions and scars.

6 years later, in France, signs of Henry Thornton appear. Gemma and Suling race to Paris to see if justice can be served and old skeletons laid to rest.

I really enjoyed this book. I haven't read much about San Francisco in the 1900s and this book did an excellent job of bringing it to light. The characters are extremely likable. Kate Quinn has been one of my favorite authors since I began reading historical fiction. I haven't read Janie Chang yet but I am looking forward to checking out some of her books in the future.

Thank you to Harper Collins and William Morrow Books for this ARC. I am extremely grateful.

The Phoenix Crown
By Kate Quinn and Janie Chang

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and William Marrow Books for the digital read of,
The Phoenix Crown.

A historical fiction/mystery novel set in 1906 San Francisco shortly before the earthquake and immediately after; then five years later in the opulent palaces of Versailles.

Strong female friendships working together, seeking to find justice of an unworthy millionaire that enters their lives.

A decent read just not the Kate Quinn type of writing of previous books I’ve read. This is cowritten with author, Janie Chang, whose books I’ve not read. I look forward to reading something by Janie Chang.

The Phoneix Crown is a historical fiction written by Kate Quinn ( a personal favorite of mine) and Janie Chang. This historical fiction takes place in Los Angeles in 1906 and tells the story of three women, four really, who all walk different paths but have become linked together.

The book opens with Alice Eastwood, a middle-aged botanist who is a pioneer for the time as a scientist and a leader in her field.

We also meet Gemma Garland/ Sally Gunderson, a down-on-your-luck opera singer who has fled New York after some untimely misfortune and is seeking refuge with her friend Nellie Doyle.

Lastly, the other character is Suling Feng, a Chinese American laundress, budding embroiderest, an orphan who lives with her uncle. Said uncle has arranged a marriage for her to be a third wife to an older man. She is heartbroken because, for the last three months, her love- Reggie- has left without a trace.
8
These women converge in this city and bond over missing friends, budding flowers, and a catastrophic earthquake that changes their lives.

I wanted to like this book. Kate Quinn is one of my favorite authors, and I love the historical fiction genre. I also love a book with intrigue and characters that you love to root for or love to hate. Something about all three fell flat. In previous books, even the villainous characters had a depth and breadth to them that made you cry out in triumph or despair. I felt nothing for any character. The story felt flimsy. The chapters count down to the earthquake, so a big part of me expected a large climax when the earthquake happened.

Then, there was a time slip after the earthquake, and time moved forward five years. These characters have moved across the continent and the world. But they stagnated because of the earthquake and the villain in the story.

The villain- I won't say who- also fell flat, and he was underwhelming, too. The tempo and pace of this novel dragged. I skimmed a lot towards the end and was happy when I finished the book.

I'll still read books by Kate, but this was by far my least favorite of her works. I was disappointed, and it took effort to keep myself interested in the plot or the characters.

Overall, the tone of the writing was nice, and I could not immediately discern which author wrote which chapter.

I want to give the warmest thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for this digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions of this book are my own.

Strong women survive and many times they survive on their own terms. Quinn and Chang, co-authors of this novel, have created some memorable characters. Gemma, an up and coming opera singer, sees her future in San Francisco; Suling, part of the Chinese culture, and an arranged marriage is not in her plans. Alice, a botanist, is busy living life on her terms. Nellie is a bohemian. The one person who brings all these women together is Henry Thornton, fabulously wealthy, and corrupt to his core as the women discover.

The 1906 earthquake leveled the city and did more to change the social structure of San Francisco than any other event could possibly have done. Like a phoenix rising, the city and the people who lived there, chose to rise again. Through the impending disaster and its aftermath, these women learned to rely on each other and build up one another in the face of tremendous obstacles.

Two of my absolute favorite authors collaborating, I had high expectations. The book is missing the deeply written characters of Kate and Janie's magic.
I rated it 3 stars and wrote a review on Goodreads.

What an adventure! When I saw that "The Phoenix Crown" was written by two female authors (including Kate Quinn, whose earlier historical fiction novels I'd enjoyed) I immediately jumped at the chance to read it.

The novel is split into two Acts, the first opening on San Francisco in early April 1906, when aspiring singer Gemma Garland is traveling to the city to join as a chorus member in an upcoming opera. She hopes to reunite with her childhood friend Nellie who also encouraged her visit, but is forced to figure out her own travel and boarding plans, where she meets botanist Alice Eastwood in the same boardinghouse as her. We're also introduced to Suling Feng, a young Chinese seamstress who's secretly trying to escape the arranged marriage her uncle her trying to force her into, while secretly hoping she'll re-meet Reggie, her lover who mysteriously disappeared on her.

These women all cross paths thanks to millionaire Henry Thorten, a wealthly aristocrat and patron of the arts, who promises to turn Gemma into the next starlet and hires Suling for her detailed needlework. Things are not as they seem, however, and it becomes clear that Thorten is involved in far more nefarious deeds than anyone has suspected - but their lives are abruptly halted with the onset of the San Francisco Earthquake on April 18th, 1906. Act II begins years later in 1911, when Alice Eastwood notices a nondescript newspaper announcement, but its contents lead her to notify her friends, causing them to reconvene in Paris for to settle the unsettled threads of their pasts - and to get justice and closure for their present lives.

I'm so curious how the final novel came to fruition (Did each author write separate sections? How did they edit the final work?) but thoroughly enjoyed "The Phoenix Crown". The writing was cohesive and smooth, and the transitions between character perspectives and time periods felt seamless. Even with the number of protagonists, I felt like each character had sufficient time and focus to be built up as individuals with their own backstories and personalities. The setting was also a unique one to center on as there was I little I had known about the San Francisco Earthquake beforehand, and I also appreciated that the impacts of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was called out. There were a couple of twists and turns I wasn't expecting, and I also commend the authors for the LGBTQ+ nods as well.

Overall a well-paced work of historical fiction with elements of mystery that I'm sure many readers will enjoy in February 2024!

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley. I was excited to read this book as a collaboration between two great authors. This book did not disappoint. It was a drama-packed adventure with events around the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake which was fascinating to read. I also really liked that it was about 4 amazing women from different backgrounds who work together to stop a man from getting away with murder. Definitely a great book to start off 2023.

Set during San Francisco’s 1906 earthquake, this is a story about two women, Gemma and Suling, as they chase their dreams, form unexpected friendships and overcome what life throws at them.

I love how this book introduced me to a part of history I am not as familiar with, specifically learning about the Chinese immigrants in the early 20th century and the art. The two authors created a wonderful, well-developed cast of characters. While I found the first half of the book unputdownable, especially with the mystery surrounding the two main characters and how they were connected, the last portion of the book felt a bit more anti climatic. I think I was expecting a bit more plot, typical over Quinn’s solo novels. Still, this is one I recommend and great on audio.

Read if you like:
-Historical mysteries
-San Fan early 20th century
-Own voices
-Unlikely friendships

Thank you William Morrow for the ARC!