Scan barcode
stellenelcielo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Okay, so I did like this, ended up loving it, really. But I cannot ignore how the pace slowed to a crawl after the first ten chapters. However, once it finally picked up, the book ended and I loved the direction it went.
I love the characters, I love the plot and I canβt wait to read the next book.
I love the characters, I love the plot and I canβt wait to read the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
sj_elli's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I have read very few books with phoenixes in them and I really enjoyed seeing them in a story more than just a background kind of there for a chapter. I sometimes felt a little annoyed with the MC, Veronyka - she was a little whiny at times and I definitely wanted to shake her. But I did like the multiple POVs and the bits of historical context mixed in. I look forward to seeing how the next book goes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Sexism
cottonspun's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Slavery
beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, and Toxic relationship
talkstofish's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book will take you on a journey of magic (communication with animals), espionage and war, blood family and found family. Webtoon released a comic version of this book, but I was so intrigued by the plot that I decided to just "read" the book. (I mean - who doesn't want to read about people who ride phoenixes that are literally ON FIRE?!) The book is slower-paced (as expected), but I love the slow reveals of plot. The main characters are interesting, as they grow and change over the course of the novel. You like parts of them and dislike others, but I feel that it makes them so much more dynamic and interesting. The world-building and lore by Nicki Pau Preto is great, truly adding to the plot and foreshadowing at things to come. The characters are diverse and LGBTQ+ characters exist and are accepted in that world. One main character is probably gay, although it is not explicitly stated in the first book - and I have not read the second so I cannot confirm whether it's just my hopeful imagination.
* Note: I listened to the audiobook version. They use multiple narrators for different characters, and they all do an amazing job at their characters.
* Note: I listened to the audiobook version. They use multiple narrators for different characters, and they all do an amazing job at their characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Slavery
Moderate: Blood, Death, and Violence
Most content warnings are for the end of the book,wishuponastarcall's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death and Emotional abuse
aloeverra's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This story has elements of mythology and lore placed throughout the book and I really enjoyed it. It almost read like a modern fairytale in a way. The magic system is relational and doesn't have hard defined rules. It does come with consequences in the world though, so it has a balance. There are three points of views from very different walks of life. LBGTQ relations are a very natural part of this world both in its history and in the present.
A group of us read this book for bookclub and we were able to discuss themes of hidden identity, healthy vs toxic relationships, how gender effects identity, and how the past structures the present. We also had a great time trying to predict what would happen next since we met a few times in the middle.
This book has no cursing, sex, or graphic violence and would be fine for any age.
A group of us read this book for bookclub and we were able to discuss themes of hidden identity, healthy vs toxic relationships, how gender effects identity, and how the past structures the present. We also had a great time trying to predict what would happen next since we met a few times in the middle.
This book has no cursing, sex, or graphic violence and would be fine for any age.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death and Animal cruelty
lennie_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
So I'm going to *attempt* to form my thoughts into coherent sentences that aren't just me constantly gushing about this book.
This story is kind of like Mulan meets GoT in South America. I'm not saying the world is meant to be like South America but that's the vibe I got and I'm sticking with it π
So a few things that I ADORED about this book were;
Veronyka
Sev being gay AF
Tristan being the cutest little bi cinnamon roll ever
The trans acceptance from Veronyka
THE TWISTS
The characters
The Phoenix's
The world building
The relationships
The multiple POVs
The hugs & affection π (this is something I don't think we see enough of in Fantasy books and I really enjoyed it)
The writing style was excellent and genuinely Very funny in places. The battle scene at the end felt so tense and exciting and that's not an easy thing to achieve on paper.
The magic style was also unique. An affinity with animals isn't a new power idea as such but for it to be the protagonist's main power, and for the book to identify the good and bad ways it can be used, felt very refreshing.
My only qualms with this book are that Avalkyra (a historic character) should have been older. She was a very intense and mature character and for her to die after a war at the age of 18 felt off. I assumed her and her sister would at least be in their mid-20's, if not older. (Avalkyra is already dead when the book starts, this isn't a spoiler).
My other qualm is that as animages, I thought it was a bit odd that they still ate animals. It was sort of quickly explained that all creatures have their place but, as a vegetarian, I was like hmm, could just not eat meat π€·ββοΈ
Either way, I'm super excited to read the sequel!
This story is kind of like Mulan meets GoT in South America. I'm not saying the world is meant to be like South America but that's the vibe I got and I'm sticking with it π
So a few things that I ADORED about this book were;
Veronyka
Sev being gay AF
Tristan being the cutest little bi cinnamon roll ever
The trans acceptance from Veronyka
THE TWISTS
The characters
The Phoenix's
The world building
The relationships
The multiple POVs
The hugs & affection π (this is something I don't think we see enough of in Fantasy books and I really enjoyed it)
The writing style was excellent and genuinely Very funny in places. The battle scene at the end felt so tense and exciting and that's not an easy thing to achieve on paper.
The magic style was also unique. An affinity with animals isn't a new power idea as such but for it to be the protagonist's main power, and for the book to identify the good and bad ways it can be used, felt very refreshing.
My only qualms with this book are that Avalkyra (a historic character) should have been older. She was a very intense and mature character and for her to die after a war at the age of 18 felt off. I assumed her and her sister would at least be in their mid-20's, if not older. (Avalkyra is already dead when the book starts, this isn't a spoiler).
My other qualm is that as animages, I thought it was a bit odd that they still ate animals. It was sort of quickly explained that all creatures have their place but, as a vegetarian, I was like hmm, could just not eat meat π€·ββοΈ
Either way, I'm super excited to read the sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Death, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Sexism, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
caidyn's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
CW: manipulation, toxic sisterly relationship, death of an animal, and sexism
For a lot of this book, it was kind of up and down. I enjoyed it, but I wanted more while I was reading. Until the end, when I got more and I really liked where it was going. There are series where the first book sets the world and plot up for the next books and this is one of them.
Veronyka (or Nyka) and Val are sisters, sisters who are doing their best. Val is, well, a toxic sister. She does what she wants when she wants with no regard to Nyka's wants or needs. So Val does something horrible that pushes Nyka over the edge. Nyka decides to leave and go on her way to find a phoenix so she can be a rider, which has been her dream even though the kingdom that once was ruled by warrior phoenix riders (more queens than kings!) is now controlled by a council.
Except the people training riders are only accepting boys. So, Nyka decides to become Nyk so she can live her dream.
This book has a world that's so rich and I was enchanted by that aspect of things. I really loved how deep the world-building is in this and how apparent it is for the whole story. That's something I enjoy in my fantasy. Fast-paced, but with a big world behind it. There's just so much going on and the history actually ties into the plot.
I enjoyed the characters, but I wanted a bit more. As I said, the book is all about developing everything, so the characters really change over the course of the book. So, in the end, I really liked all of the perspectives. I think my favorite was Tristan, the son of the commander and a boy who's training to be a phoenix rider, while my least favorite was Sev's.
Based on the ending, I can tell that the second book is going to be absolutely explosive. And I'm so damn excited for it! Definitely a must-read for 2020!
For a lot of this book, it was kind of up and down. I enjoyed it, but I wanted more while I was reading. Until the end, when I got more and I really liked where it was going. There are series where the first book sets the world and plot up for the next books and this is one of them.
Veronyka (or Nyka) and Val are sisters, sisters who are doing their best. Val is, well, a toxic sister. She does what she wants when she wants with no regard to Nyka's wants or needs. So Val does something horrible that pushes Nyka over the edge. Nyka decides to leave and go on her way to find a phoenix so she can be a rider, which has been her dream even though the kingdom that once was ruled by warrior phoenix riders (more queens than kings!) is now controlled by a council.
Except the people training riders are only accepting boys. So, Nyka decides to become Nyk so she can live her dream.
This book has a world that's so rich and I was enchanted by that aspect of things. I really loved how deep the world-building is in this and how apparent it is for the whole story. That's something I enjoy in my fantasy. Fast-paced, but with a big world behind it. There's just so much going on and the history actually ties into the plot.
I enjoyed the characters, but I wanted a bit more. As I said, the book is all about developing everything, so the characters really change over the course of the book. So, in the end, I really liked all of the perspectives. I think my favorite was Tristan, the son of the commander and a boy who's training to be a phoenix rider, while my least favorite was Sev's.
Based on the ending, I can tell that the second book is going to be absolutely explosive. And I'm so damn excited for it! Definitely a must-read for 2020!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Animal death
More...