The clouds above glowed iron gray, obscuring the full moon and making it almost impossible to see in the darkness. The village streets were empty and quiet, with no one to notice the solitary girl digging through their garbage heaps. It was late evening, the cool night air threatening frost. Veronyka shushed him gently, piling the bird bones inside her basket with the rest and standing. The small owl perched on her shoulder hooted softly in distaste at her most recent discovery. She dug through rotten lettuce and potato peelings for tiny, sharp-as-daggers fish bones and the hollow, delicate bones of birds. Joints of venison blackened and burned on the spit, and racks of ribs stewed so long that they were dry and brittle as driftwood. If I had known then what I know now, I might have chosen not to love her. Interspersed throughout is the story of Avalkyra Ashfire, the last Rider queen, who would rather see her empire burn than fall into her sister’s hands. Sometimes it must be taken.Ĭrown of Feathers is an epic fantasy about love’s incredible power to save-or to destroy. And meanwhile, the new empire has learned of the Riders’ return and intends to destroy them once and for all.

Just as Veronyka finally feels like she belongs, her sister turns up and reveals a tangled web of lies between them that will change everything. After a shocking betrayal from her controlling sister, Veronyka strikes out alone to find the Riders-even if that means disguising herself as a boy to join their ranks.īut it is a fact of life that one must kill or be killed. Sixteen years later, Veronyka is a war orphan who dreams of becoming a Phoenix Rider from the stories of old. I promised her the throne would not come between us.

In a world ruled by fierce warrior queens, a grand empire was built upon the backs of Phoenix Riders-legendary heroes who soared through the sky on wings of fire-until a war between two sisters ripped it all apart.

“Epic in the truest sense.” - Quill and QuireĪn Ember in the Ashes meets Three Dark Crowns in this lush debut fantasy novel about a girl who disguises herself as a boy to join a secret group of warriors that ride phoenixes into battle. “A beautifully told story about justice, sisterhood, and warrior women.” -Shea Ernshaw, New York Times bestselling author of The Wicked Deep “Absolutely unforgettable.” -Kendare Blake, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Three Dark Crowns series

Crown of feathers by nicki pau preto