THESE FEATHERED FLAMES

Seventeen-year-old twin sisters become living legends in this reimagining of the Firebird folktale.

Tóurensi tradition dictates that one royal twin will become queen, responsible for the country, while the other will become the Firebird, responsible for maintaining the country’s magical balance. Where once Tóurin’s magic was abundant, requiring minimal payment in exchange for access, there is now a Fading, and those who do not (or cannot) pay may lose limbs—or their lives—to the Firebird. When the queen dies unexpectedly, Izaveta prepares to take her place while her twin, Asya, receives a Calling to right a magical imbalance related to their mother’s death. Desperate for answers, Asya struggles to wield the Firebird’s power even as she grows closer to Yuliana, the beautiful, antagonistic palace guard who shadows her. Asya’s naïve perspective alternates with Izaveta’s cunning as they each navigate the royal court, the increasingly dangerous consequences of Asya’s unfulfilled Calling, and the threats posed by foreign interests and the powerful Church. Asya’s exhilarating, tightly plotted fights and Izaveta’s clever political machinations play out against Slavic-inspired historical and cultural elements to create a thoroughly compelling tale of strength and sisterhood. A White default is assumed for main characters; some secondary characters have dark skin, and one secondary character communicates through sign language.

Richly constructed and wholly riveting.