Welcome back to the Debut a Month Challenge, where I read and review a debut novel every month of the year! April's debut release is Alexandra Overy's These Feathered Flames.
TFF is a YA fantasy story of twin sisters Izaveta and Asya, who have been separated for years after a magic ritual in which Izaveta was chosen to succeed their mother as the future queen, and Asya was chosen to succeed their aunt as the next Firebird, a magical being responsible for making sure that all pay the price for using magic. Seven years after their separation, they are reunited when the death of their mother forces them both to step into their roles far sooner than they ever anticipated.
One of my favorite things in this book was the worldbuilding. Specifically, the magic system. I've never seen the concept of magic having a physical cost pulled off as well as Overy does it here.
I also loved the romance. With two leads, there are two romances (including an enemies-to-lovers!), and I've gone back and forth on which one I liked best.
But what I really loved were the sisters themselves. Izaveta and Asya are complex young women with drastically different worldviews stemming from their differing upbringings and watching them struggle to reconcile their differing agendas today with their sisterly bond of the past is a fascinating read.
All in all, TFF is a great choice for anyone looking to take a dive into a YA fantasy with sisters, politics, and an unusual folktale retelling.
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