Ashes of the Firebird

SPOILERS**
I'm going to first start by saying I will read anything this author writes. I was so excited for this series because it's a little different than her other books and I read the first and second books in two days. I love the series so far and can't wait to read more.

The first book in the series was excellent but some of the relationships and character development felt rushed. In this book, we get to know (and like) Anya a little more, we also see her grow a lot more as a person and become a little more independent. In general, the character development is a slightly more in-depth than it was in the first book. There are a few new relationships and characters in this book, but the relationships do not feel as forced as some of the relationships did in the first book. I am DYING to know who Anya is going to end up with, the tension between her, Trajan, Aramis, Yvan, and ~possibly~ Soren is literally killing me. I also loved the introduction of the Alfr in this book and hope we see more of them and get more insight into their magic system. The ending of this book was phenomenal. I had a feeling Yanka was Vasilli's mother but I wasn't sure how that would play into Anya's relationship with Yvan. I am anxious to read the next book and see who survived the fight!

Overall, I loved this book and the author's writing style. I can't get enough of her books.

A beautifully written book. Really enjoyed reading this. Thanks to publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read

4.5/5 Stars.

I have a lot of feelings about this book because this story genuinely made me feel such a vast amount of emotions. There is love, happiness, sadness, anger, hurt, brokenness, betrayal, and a slew of other feelings.

I absolutely love this story of Anya and her found family. There is so much emotional growth and change for Anya and for the different people throughout this story. We learn more about Aleksandra and are introduced to new characters that we only dabbled in understanding and I am very much anticipating learning about. We learn more about Anya and Yanka, their histories, and the power of their family. Anya journeys to continue learning to keep her magic stable and controlling it.

There is a lot going on in this story - so much happening with Anya, Aramis, Yvan, Trajan, Aleksandra, and so many others - we are learning so much about each of these characters through multiple POVs. A lot of times, you find that it can be TOO busy and doesn't generally bode well in a story, especially if it isn't done properly. Amy does not disappoint in managing multiple POVs throughout this story. She manages everything going on so well that you don't feel lost when you are jumping around with the different characters. You know exactly where you are and what is going on with these characters and those around them.

I am still feeling so many emotions about this story, but it is worth the read. Prepare your heart and your mind for this story. It is worth it. So worth it.

Full disclosure -- I absolutely love this series. I have read the original releases of this trilogy multiple times, and it is one of my favorites.
I have also made my way through most of Amy Kuivalainen's catalog.

Okay. This book. Absolutely fantastic.

Found Family - check
Magic - check
Witches - check (tell me a book has witches, and I'll probably read it)

This book picks up a month after book 1 ended.
-Yanka is alive and in a medically induced coma being held somewhere by The Illumination.
-Vasilli is injured in a hospital in Russia
-Anya is unconscious still from the hit Landislav landed on her while closing the gates
-The group has made their way to Budapest where they are staying with a former colleague of Aramis, a fellow Rogue from The Illumination.

The small details that have been added, the backstories, the foreshadowing - amazing.

I have been in love with Yvan and the Firebird since they hatched in drunk Anya's farmhouse in book one. He's gruff. He's sincere. He's honest. And he *always* has Anya's back. Seeing him be the beacon she uses for her magic time and again, to find her tranquility, to find her way home, to set her enemies ablaze -- I am here for it. Their relationship with Anya is one of my favorite friendships I've ever read.

The other characters each have their own role to play in Anya's life, and I love seeing things from everyones POV. I have seen people take issue with the amount of characters in this series, but I love it. I love seeing the network of connections, and favors, and the band of neutrals coming together to save one late-blooming shamanista, and join her fight against The Darkness/Vasilli, and The Illumination.

Once the group learns of Yanka's status, they start working with Isabelle's contacts in New Orleans, Fox and Harley, to get info and begin their heist. This book is their journey to get there. I cannot wait to see what Amy has in store for us in the re-release of book 3!

Overall 5
Spice 3

“Choose the person you want on your bad days, not your good ones.”

Points over Paragraphs

• Book 1 = sets the stage
• Book 2= is a roller coaster of emotions and adventures
• Book 3 = I need it now! Like right now!
• Uniquely Diverse Blend of Folktales and Myths from around the world wrapped into an epic adventure.
• Incredibly imaginative plot full of twists and turns.
• Perfectly captured sexual tension (is this book on fire yet?)
• Found Family similar to that of Leigh Bardugo's “Six of Crows” series.
• Witty Banter Galore
• Strong Character development with an Action-based plot
• Multiple POVs. (without confusing the reader)
• Chosen One trope
• Magical warring societies
• Aleksandra and Mychal (won’t spoil but SWOON)
• Secondary characters are just as important and beloved
• Reads like a TV show (where you at Netflix?)
• So many emotions: Heartbreak Joy Angst Humor and Betrayal
• Team Yvan ((all the way))
• The Alfr…. 😍
• Descriptions and world-building are brilliant
• Next level storytelling and writing style
• Amy Kuivalainen can do no wrong
• Was not ready for that ending
• Cliffhanger Warning
• Republished series all books not available

Many thanks to NetGalley and BHC Press for providing me with an ARC for Amy Kuivalainen’s Ashes of the Firebird book 2 in the Firebird Faire Tales series. Book two continues to grow its characters and diverse lore while maintaining a quick fast-paced plot. The multiple POVs and love stories kept me hooked from beginning to end. Another fantastic read from Amy Kuivalainen.

• Review will be posted on Amazon GoodReads StoryGraph and Instagram during the following window: 6/13-6/17
• A release day post will go live on 6/21 on Instagram

I love it that I always get what I expect with Amy Kuivalainen. Just the right amount of action and romance and beautiful men I can fell in love with. There is not one boring moment in the book. It sucks you in and won’t let go.

I had to pace myself so as not to finish Ashes of the Firebird in a day because I just wanted to savour it.
I loved all of the characters, Aramis being my favourite and I’m sorry to say that Anya is the one I liked the least.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy.

“Choose the person you want on your bad days, not your good ones.”

I’m in awe of the way Amy blends so many stunning folktales and myths from around the world. From Anya’s powerful Russian & Finnish shamanitsa energy, to Hamish’s heartbreaking Australian curse, and then the glorious Honaw twins Native American magic, and a hint of Vodou. Ashes of the Firebird is a fantastic, dark, magical adventure.

These characters?!?! How can you create such an amazing group (over a dozen) of supernatural and magical beings, that are unbelievably attractive… and constantly fighting the urge to rip each other’s throats out (or clothes off.) I’m not even kidding… mythological shapeshifters, demon hunters, and everything in between. The banter and sexual tension was perfection. I adored the new characters, but especially Aramis, Sören, Mychal, and all of Harley’s crew.

Anya has gone through so much to get to this point, and I’m excited to see where this story takes her. Hopefully she’ll discover a few answers and a bit of retribution.

Obviously I loved the sexy bits, but I’ve got to say the ceremony in the forest might’ve been my favorite! I’m already freaking out, because I don’t know when the next book will be released?! And that shocking cliffhanger ending blew my mind.

Thank you to Amy Kuivalainen and the publisher BHC Press for the opportunity to read this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This book has absolutely wrecked me, but in the best way possible. Anya's story continues in the second installment of the The Firebird Faerie Tales, and I am convinced that Amy Kuivalainen is an absolute genius. The writing was superb (as always) and the story telling was undeniably enthralling. I loved the witty banter, and the twists and turns were shocking. So much happens in this book, and it's going to be on my mind until I can finally get my hands on book three of this series.

The progression of the relationships within the group was super interesting, and I really enjoyed how the dynamic between the characters shifted. Anya continues to experience character growth, and it was intriguing to see how she is coming into her own in regards to her magic and her place in the world. She's my favorite reluctant hero, and the side characters in this book are quickly becoming some of my favorites as well. This was a no-brainer 5-star read.

Amy Kuivalainen continues to be one of the most imaginative, refreshing authors I’ve ever read. I held off on reading the first book in The Firebird Faerie Tales in order to wait for the release of the sequel. So as you can imagine, I was elated and pleasantly surprised when I learned my wait would not be long. Thank you to NetGalley, BHC Press, and Amy Kuivalainen for the ARC.

Ashes of the Firebird picks up directly following the cliffhanger ending of Cry of the Firebird. The story continues to use intercultural folklore, blending Russian, Native American, and Finnish magic, voodoo, curses, and powers. The found family of supernatural characters—including shifters, demon hunters, ordogs and more—have closed the gates, but the action and adventure is far from over.

Book two includes more twists, turns, and added spice. The female characters were much more developed in this book. My only issue was the introduction of new characters in an already active, borderline overpopulated storyline. What is the most refreshing is the reminder that people—supernatural or otherwise—can’t use magic to solve all their problems. The characters have to learn from their mistakes and make sure to remember the physical and emotional costs of using too much power.

This sequel to "Cry of the Firebird" picks up right where book one left off, so you will definitely want to read book one before starting "Ashes of the Firebird" or you'll be pretty lost. Here the war between Darkness and Illumination is getting closer and magic users are choosing sides or trying to keep their heads down and stay as neutral as possible. Anya, Yvan, Trajan, and the others are recuperating in Budapest from their big fight to close a major gate between worlds at the end of "Cry of the Firebird", but more complications are cropping up. The biggest being demons getting really active, helping introduce a new demon hunter character called Mychal who looks like he's going to bring in a whole new set up complicated twists, and the discovery that Anya's great grandmother, the legendary Yanka, is still alive. Turns out the Illumination have been keeping her in a secret lab in a medically induced coma and running all kinds of experiments on her. Naturally, Anya wants to free her. Theoretically, everyone agrees that's the right thing to do because experimenting on people is wrong, but most of the characters (and eventually even Anya) are more than a little concerned with what letting Yanka loose in the world could mean.

Even without the chasing, constant danger, and fights of the first book, "Ashes of the Firebird" remains intense and fast paced. The focus is mostly on Anya but Aleksandra's character gets a lot of good development and page time as well, which I enjoyed. We also get to meet Aramis' people, the Alfr (elves) and get a glimpse into their world that I expect we'll see more of in the next book. There's more emotional development for Anya as she and Trajan navigate their unusual relationship, Anya's powers continues to grow, and she discovers new aspects to her magic. She continues to find herself in over her head through no real fault of her own and trying to keep up with magic users and supernaturals who have been at this for centuries (if not longer) and you have to admire her for not having more breakdowns than she does have. I wanted to just shake a few characters for not explaining things to Anya because you know there are things about Yanka, the Alfr, and who knows what else that are going to come back later to bite her just because no one sat down and had a conversation explaining facts of life to Anya.

Love, friendship, new allies, pain, betrayals, shocks and surprises- "Ashes of the Firebird" has it all. Fast paced and intense from start to finish, Amy Kuivalainen once again creates a book that will keep you on your toes and waiting eagerly for the next book to see how the story continues to unfold.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Ashes of the Firebird by Amy Kuivalainen
💫ARC Review💫

Happy release day to Ashes! This is the second book in the Firebird Faerie Tales series. It picks up exactly where book one leaves us on that epic cliffhanger!

We have just found out course altering information for Anya and her group of supernatural protectors. All converging in Paris plans are being made to 'proceed' and Anya needs to get a grip on her magic.

As the action unfolds in this book, as do the intiricate and blooming relationships. Ames weaves a delicate thread between the characters and even introduces some new faves (lookin at you Fox and Harley!) Moments that I have been dyinnnnggg for happen.... and the consequences of big decisions are HUGE!

This series is fresh and incredible!! It is so worth investing in the world. 5🌟 Ofc it ends of another cliffy (bring on March) and the series is going to be around 5 books, so its still early days, but I am absolutely ready to go on the journey!! Join me!
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🔥 ASHES OF THE FIREBIRD 🔥 The second book in the Firebird Faerie Tales series by @AK is out now and it keeps getting better and better. If you have NOT heard me talk about this series yet, then: grab a chair, three beverages (one for fun, one for hydration, and one for caffeine) and take a seat.

🔥 Finnish + Russian Folklore
🔥 Gods, demons, shifters, witches, shamans
🔥 Mythology characters like Tuoni and Baba Yaga
🔥 SO MANY GOD DAMN FUCKIN’ DADDIES LIKE JESUS H. CHRIST. Okay. Moving on.

🔥 Kuivalainen continues to be one of the best voices in fantasy, period, if not the best amongst her contemporaries. The Magicians of Venice trilogy, also by Kuivalainen, is one of my favorite fantasy series of all time — and Firebird Faerie Tales is keeping it cozy up there. ‘Ashes’ is able to deliver on a damn-near symphonic plot, with relationships, conflict, and magic (a trifecta) that work with and against one another in a way that is truly gripping.

🔥 ‘Ashes’ picks up where ‘Rise of the Firebird’ left off, with our “reluctant chosen one,” Anya, and the world’s best found family of shifters, demons, shamans, and gods. (Like — JFC, how could you not want to read this?) They’re off to try and save [REDACTED], while Anya tries to decode her relationship with [REDACTED], and fight her affections for [REDACTED]. The hottest motherfucker alive, [REDACTED], shows up, and is joined by this other incredibly sexy [■■■■■], who THEN [■■■■■], and it’s all 🥵.

🔥 I feel like the English language fails me when it comes to decoding everything that I felt after this book. I’m repeating myself but the only thing that I can say, is that it really did read like a symphony. There are so many incredible characters and subplots, but it is never once overwhelming, every single one is fully developed, and that alone — a masterclass. Truly, if you are a fan of the genre at all, you do yourself a disservice missing this one.

❗️NOTE: ‘Ashes’ does end on a major cliffhanger, and book three is set for March of 2023. I LOVE a cliff because it mimics dopamine in my little neurodivergent brain. If you do NOT want a cliff — wait a little bit!

I read “Cry of the Firebird” earlier this year for book club and really enjoyed it, so I was thrilled to receive an ARC of “Ashes of the Firebird,” the next book in The Firebird Fairytales. While it took me a little while to pick up on the Finnish and Russian mythology (that was all new to me) in the first book, I was able to dive right into “Ashes” where the first left off and felt fully immersed back in the story.

Part of what drew me to the first book was the awesome cast of characters, and Amy Kuivalainen did not disappoint with keeping up with the original characters while introducing some new favorites!

The end totally blew me away and absolutely left me wanting more!! I can’t wait to see what Amy comes up with next!

Great epic adventure continues! Witches and firebird, political intrigue and war. Magic and a bit of love intertwined with the pulse of Russian folklore. A great series!