Crown of Feathers by Nicki Pau Preto

Abstract

Reviewed by: Crown of Feathers by Nicki Pau Preto Natalie Berglind Preto, Nicki Pau Crown of Feathers. Simon Pulse, 2019 [496p] Trade ed. ISBN 978-1-5344-2462-3 $19.99 E-book ed. ISBN 978-1-5344-2464-7 $10.99 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 8-12 Veronyka has always dreamed of becoming one of the fierce Phoenix Riders—warriors who once defended the Golden Empire but have since been banned. Desperate to join the now all-male Riders, she breaks away from the control of her manipulative sister, Val, and disguises herself as a boy to join the secret group outside the fringes of the empire. There she finds allies in the Commander’s son, Tristan, and later Sev, an empire soldier on the other side, and all three viewpoints are interlaced with bits of history, mythology, and phoenix biology that breathe life into the tale. The characters are well developed and the cast is unusually strong on representation, with broad racial diversity (Veronyka’s brown skin is prominently noted) and [End Page 217] a same-sex romance (plus the possibility that Tristan is attracted to Veronyka in her male guise). The novel reflects its phoenix motif in the theme of rebirth that symbolically impacts each of the characters as they remake themselves into stronger people. The well-paced plot is chock-full of shocking revelations, betrayals, and moments of empowerment in the face of adversity that give this novel an epic scope and set up the beginning of a promising book series. A glossary and timeline help readers keep track of the intricate world building. Copyright © 2019 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois