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A review by queer_bookwyrm
These Feathered Flames by Alexandra Overy
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5 ⭐ CW: Violence, torture, death, fire
These Feathered Flames by Alexandra Overy is book one in the These Feathered Flames duology. This is a retelling of the Russian folktale The Firebird, and is set in a secondary magical world.
We follow twins Izaveta and Asya, who have two very different tasks set before them: Isaveta is to be the queen after their mother and has to learn court intrigue and subtlety; and Asya is chosen to be the next Firebird, a creature that exists to keep the balance of magic in the world. Each of the sisters feels alone in their task that has been thrust upon them, but they have each dealt with it in different ways. Iza has become more cold and detached in order to be more like her ruthless mother, and Asya is reluctant to ease into her full power and be the monster everyone thinks she is.
The magic system in this was interesting. Anytime someone uses magic, they owe a price to the land to restore balance, and if they don't pay the price, then the Firebird comes to take it from you with fire. The price could be anything from a finger to an arm to death. We get a bit of a slow burn sapphic romance with Asya, but it isn't the main point of the story. The main theme to me was about the lengths people will go to for power especially when religious fervor is involved.
This seemed like a book I would really like, but it just didn't have that...something. I just felt like not enough happened or the characters weren't quite fully realized for the amount of pages I read. Plus the beginning was very slow. I wanted to see more from both sisters, but their bond just didn't ring through for me. I don't think this is one I care to follow up on.
These Feathered Flames by Alexandra Overy is book one in the These Feathered Flames duology. This is a retelling of the Russian folktale The Firebird, and is set in a secondary magical world.
We follow twins Izaveta and Asya, who have two very different tasks set before them: Isaveta is to be the queen after their mother and has to learn court intrigue and subtlety; and Asya is chosen to be the next Firebird, a creature that exists to keep the balance of magic in the world. Each of the sisters feels alone in their task that has been thrust upon them, but they have each dealt with it in different ways. Iza has become more cold and detached in order to be more like her ruthless mother, and Asya is reluctant to ease into her full power and be the monster everyone thinks she is.
The magic system in this was interesting. Anytime someone uses magic, they owe a price to the land to restore balance, and if they don't pay the price, then the Firebird comes to take it from you with fire. The price could be anything from a finger to an arm to death. We get a bit of a slow burn sapphic romance with Asya, but it isn't the main point of the story. The main theme to me was about the lengths people will go to for power especially when religious fervor is involved.
This seemed like a book I would really like, but it just didn't have that...something. I just felt like not enough happened or the characters weren't quite fully realized for the amount of pages I read. Plus the beginning was very slow. I wanted to see more from both sisters, but their bond just didn't ring through for me. I don't think this is one I care to follow up on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Violence