



Crown of Feathers
-
-
4.4 • 36 Ratings
-
-
- $9.99
Publisher Description
“Absolutely unforgettable.” —Kendare Blake, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Three Dark Crowns series
“A beautifully told story about justice, sisterhood, and warrior women.” —Shea Ernshaw, New York Times bestselling author of The Wicked Deep
“Epic in the truest sense.” —Quill and Quire
An Ember in the Ashes meets Three Dark Crowns in this lush debut fantasy novel about a girl who disguises herself as a boy to join a secret group of warriors that ride phoenixes into battle.
I had a sister, once…
In a world ruled by fierce warrior queens, a grand empire was built upon the backs of Phoenix Riders—legendary heroes who soared through the sky on wings of fire—until a war between two sisters ripped it all apart.
I promised her the throne would not come between us.
Sixteen years later, Veronyka is a war orphan who dreams of becoming a Phoenix Rider from the stories of old. After a shocking betrayal from her controlling sister, Veronyka strikes out alone to find the Riders—even if that means disguising herself as a boy to join their ranks.
But it is a fact of life that one must kill or be killed. Rule or be ruled.
Just as Veronyka finally feels like she belongs, her sister turns up and reveals a tangled web of lies between them that will change everything. And meanwhile, the new empire has learned of the Riders’ return and intends to destroy them once and for all.
Sometimes the title of queen is given. Sometimes it must be taken.
Crown of Feathers is an epic fantasy about love’s incredible power to save—or to destroy. Interspersed throughout is the story of Avalkyra Ashfire, the last Rider queen, who would rather see her empire burn than fall into her sister’s hands.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Sixteen years ago, legendary Phoenix Rider Avalkyra battled her sister, Pheronia, for the empire's throne. Pheronia's forces prevailed, executing Avalkyra's army of Riders for treason and ordering the registration and taxation of animages, people who are magically able to communicate with animals. Now, impoverished animages such as 16-year-old orphan Veronyka and her sister, Val, must hide their talents or risk becoming indentured bond servants. The siblings have spent years searching for phoenix eggs so that they might become Riders and fight to restore animage rights, but after a jealous Val betrays Veronyka, they part ways. Veronyka discovers a fledgling all-male squadron of Riders in the mountains and poses as a boy in order to join them, then falls for fellow recruit Tristan and faces a difficult choice. Initially dense with worldbuilding, debut author Pau Preto's series opener steadily gathers steam before closing with a pulse-pounding crescendo. Veronyka, Tristan, and conflicted imperial soldier Sev trade chapters, their stories interweaving to heighten tension, deepen character, and illustrate the importance of empathy, equality, community, and knowing one's own truth. Ages 12 up.
Customer Reviews
Crown of feathers
This book is very descriptive! It’s really good!
Amazing!
This book is a work of art, we are fully submersed in a world like no other!